Bosses at Teesside Airport are being urged to offer a “promised” new base to aircraft owners who were evicted from the hangar they occupied for more than 30 years.
The call came days after the announcement of a new tenant for the first of two new hangars at the airport. John Elliott, the former chief executive of DTVA Private Aircraft Owners, said it was “rather perverse” that it was not initially offered to the previous group of privately owned general aviation aircraft.
In 2021, the group was turfed out of hangar three to make way for cargo handling at the airport. Owners were forced to either seek “alternative but distant” accommodation or leave them outside at the airport.
They later accused Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and airport bosses of breaking promises. The requirement to vacate the hangar came with a “written undertaking” to provide a new hangar to accommodate them on the same conditions, they said.
After delays due to technical and planning issues, costs reportedly spiralled to more than £1m to replace the hangar and the airport abandoned the plans. The group then submitted its own plan for a new hangar at about a third of the cost, but the offer was never taken up by the airport.
Last week, aircraft painting firm Airbourne Colours was confirmed as a tenant for a 27,000sq hangar four which is still under construction. It is the first of two new hangars which the airport said are aimed at attracting further investment and returning the airport to profit.
Mr Elliott has now suggested the second hangar could be offered to the group in light of its “long-term loyalty and benefit provided to the airport for many, many years”. He said: “Both Ben Houchen and the Airport Manager Phil Forster, have on a number of occasions very firmly confirmed their commitment to General Aviation light aircraft at the airport and recognised its importance to the income generated and the operational benefits derived.
“There is now an opportunity for them to show that this is really a commitment for the airport and its future. In all fairness and honesty and, now that the airport’s financial stability is improving and long-term future appears secure, it is time that the airport’s commitments made to the privately owned aircraft are realised.”
A spokesperson for the airport suggested a solution could still be available, adding they would welcome “any sensible funded hangar proposals”. He said: “Hangar Four under construction at the moment is seeing Airbourne Colours set up a base at Teesside. Run by a Teessider, the firm is investing £6.5m for its use and creating dozens of jobs for local people in the process.
“It’s no secret the airport was left to rack and ruin in its previous ownership, and it will continue to be a long road back. As outlined in our long-term turnaround plan, this means the airport needs to generate income and support jobs.
“Building more hangars, leasing them and bringing in businesses is a vital part of this – and will help us to put the airport on its path back to a sustainable financial position. The General Aviation community is a great group, and we want to see them continue to use Teesside.”
