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£25m Teesside International Airport scheme approved

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A £25 million aircraft maintenance facility has been approved at Teesside International Airport. 

Teesside International Airport.
Credit: Teesside International Airport.
by Rory ButlerMarch 2, 2023

Darlington Borough Council has backed plans for a new Jet Centre and Aviation Village, led by Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) and its subsidiary, Willis Aviation Services Limited (WASL). 

The Aviation Village will include five hangars for aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and painting operations, as well as a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) building for Business Aviation – the Jet Centre. 

Part of the 49-acre site was originally earmarked for 350 homes. However, the area was bought as part of a deal to bring the airport back into public ownership in 2019. 

“When we launched the UK’s first and largest Freeport, we did so on the promise it would create well paid jobs for local people and that is exactly what this investment will do,” said Tees Valley mayor, Ben Houchen. 

Adding: “Because of all our efforts to save Teesside Airport, we will have high-quality, well-paid engineering and aviation jobs close to home for local people.” 

The Jet Centre provides ground handling services for business, private aviation, military, and cargo flights – with WASL currently leasing Hangar 2 at the airport as its base for aircraft maintenance, storage, and disassembly.  

When asked, Teesside International Airport said the construction and engineering firms leading the scheme had “not yet been approved”.

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