Jobs created as aviation firm joins Teesside Airport

A new aviation base has launched at Teesside International Airport which will lead to the creation of 20 jobs in the region.

Willis Asset Management Limited, part of Willis Lease Finance Corporation, is now operational from Hangar 1 and Hangar 1A at the airport, which will allow it to house aircraft and parts while carrying out maintenance, storage and disassembly of a wide variety of aircraft.

Phase one of development of the base is expected to require the support of 20 highly skilled engineers, with potential for further job creation in phase two when additional hangar facilities are introduced.

The first aircraft to arrive to the base, a Boeing 737, will remain at Willis’ hangar throughout coming months, with further aircraft are expected to arrive soon.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’m delighted to see the first aircraft fly into the new Willis maintenance base just three months after we announced the deal had been struck.

“Our airport is hugely important to our economy and it’s key to my plan for jobs. We are just at the beginning of Willis developing its base which will develop into a fantastic asset for our airport, creating more good quality jobs for local workers.

“We’re working harder than ever to attract investment across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool from outside the region, including in the airport itself, and with our renewed link to the UK’s biggest airport, London Heathrow, we are continuing to get noticed on an international scale.

“I can’t wait to see even more aircraft flying into Willis’ base in the coming weeks and months.”

The arrival came as Teesside International announced that two of its most popular routes, to Aberdeen and Belfast, are to be expanded to twice-daily services due to demand.