Plans for £50 million aviation hub move forward

Plans for a £50 million aircraft conversion campus at Teesside International Airport are moving forward following a visit by leaders behind the development.

Representatives from Alfor Aviation toured the site and held talks with airport bosses after securing a landmark 50-year agreement during the recent Farnborough International Airshow.

The investment will create a purpose-built passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversion facility featuring new hangars, engineering workshops and warehousing.

Bosses say the campus will create 250 permanent high-skilled jobs and, once fully operational, will be capable of converting up to 24 passenger aircraft into freighters each year.

Operations are expected to begin by the end of 2027.

Phil Forster, managing director of Teesside International Airport, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Mafa and Alfor leaders to Teesside to progress with their landmark vision.

“Once again, this agreement is a big endorsement of our plan to grow our airport.

“We’ve had huge projects and backing to the Airport Business Park in recent years through Willis Aviation, our FedEx cargo agreement, Airbourne Colours and Draken expanding their presence at Teesside.

“We’re proud to welcome Alfor Aviation for another landmark investment and its unique technology will help bolster our air freight ambitions.

“When this campus is complete, our airport will be home to global companies carrying our aircraft repair, maintenance, overhaul, painting and conversion.

“Our land availability, Freeport status, excellent connectivity to road, rail and sea links – and our skilled workforce – is all helping to create opportunities to make us a one-stop-shop for operators."

Alfor is also preparing to relocate its global headquarters to Teesside as part of the investment, further strengthening the airport’s growing aviation cluster.

The new facility will significantly increase the company’s production capacity, allowing it to respond to rising international demand for passenger-to-freighter conversions.

That growth is being driven by expanding e-commerce, express freight and integrated logistics networks, which are increasing demand for dedicated cargo aircraft.

The latest visit saw Alfor representatives Mahmut Metin Eren, Hazal Avci, Yildirim Beyazit Kilincarslan and Omer Mafa meet Teesside Airport leaders as work continues to progress the development.

Omer added: “We examined numerous locations across Europe for our long-term home, but nowhere matched Teesside’s offer.

“It has been a pleasure to spend time here, meet the people driving its growth, and see first-hand the significant progress being made towards delivering the airport’s ambitious long-term vision.

“A key factor in our decision was Teesside Freeport. 

“As the UK’s largest free trade zone, it provides exactly the kind of internationally competitive environment innovative aerospace businesses need.  

“By relocating our headquarters here, and investing for the next 50 years, we are making a clear statement about our confidence in both the future of Teesside and British aerospace manufacturing.”

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “This investment is another clear example of how Teesside Airport brings growth in our region – attracting global businesses and creating well-paid careers for local people.

“When I brought our airport back into public ownership, I made a commitment to use it as a catalyst for jobs, investment and long-term prosperity.

“The strategy is delivering results. with major international companies choosing Teesside and helping us build a stronger, more prosperous future for generations to come.”

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