Passenger numbers soar at Teesside Airport

A North East airport is flying high as rising passenger demand and new routes have driven its busiest year in more than a decade.

Teesside International Airport recorded more than 260,000 passengers in 2025, marking a 14.5 per cent increase on the previous year and its highest annual total for 16 years. 

Growth was supported by the launch of a new year-round Ryanair route to Malaga, alongside a surge in demand for Alicante, which saw passenger numbers rise by more than 22 per cent.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s worth remembering that when we stepped in to save our airport from closure, it had been written off and left to decline, but we knew there was huge potential waiting to be unlocked.

“These figures show we’re continuing to head in the right direction, with our airport delivering the highest passengers figures seen in over a decade.

“We’re making rapid progress at our business park and bringing in new investors to create good-quality jobs and secure the airport’s financial future.

“But above all, we won’t lose sight of what people in Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool want most from their airport: more flights, more routes, and more destinations. 

“I’ll keep working with the airport to deliver that in 2026 and beyond.”

The airport now offers flights to destinations including Corfu, Faro, Palma, Guernsey and Jersey, with Malaga, Amsterdam and Alicante operating throughout the year. 

Seasonal services to Faro, Majorca and Corfu will return this spring and summer, while TUI continues to offer Palma flights and cruise packages. 

International connectivity is also maintained through KLM’s Amsterdam service.

Alongside passenger growth, cargo activity also rose sharply, with volumes increasing by more than 300 per cent during the year, underlining the airport’s expanding role in the regional economy.

Phil Forster, managing director of Teesside International Airport, added: “These figures are encouraging and show real momentum building at Teesside, particularly in what has been a very tough and uncertain environment for the aviation industry.

“We’ve had our share of ups and downs along the way, so to see passenger numbers continue to rise – and to record our highest total in 16 years – is a real credit to the hard work, resilience and commitment of the entire airport team, our airline partners and everyone who supports the airport.

“There is still a long way to go, but this result shows local people want to back their local airport.

“Popular new and returning routes, strong year-round services and significant growth in cargo all underline the role Teesside Airport is playing for the region. 

“We’re proud of what’s been achieved so far, but we’re ambitious and determined to do more – with more routes, more opportunities, and an even stronger performance in 2026.”

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