Durham Tees Valley airport History

Durham Tees Valley Airport started life as an RAF base named RAF Goosepool and in in 1941 it became an RAF Bomber Command station known as RAF Middleton St. George. In 1943 the base was handed over to The Royal Canadian Air Force flying such bombers as the Lancaster, Halifax and Whitley.

At the end of hostilities in 1945 RAF Middleton St. George served several squadrons and went on to be the base for the RAF's frontline jet fighter aircraft such as the Meteor, Javelin, Hunter and Lightning.

In 1964 the RAF left after announcing the previous year of its intention to close RAF Middleton St. George. Cleveland County Council decided to purchase the site and in 1966 the airport was opened by Princess Margaretha of Sweden for civilian flights now under the name of Teesside Airport.

In 1969 the first flight to London with British Midland took place from Teesside Airport expanding its range of flight routes.

In 1986 Teesside Airport was permitted to open a duty free shop and in the same year the first extension to the airports baggage hall was made. It was also in 1986 that Teesside Airport was chartered by Concorde due to Air Show Day.

In 1987 Teesside Airport was privatised and was re-branded Teesside International Airport to reflect its routes offered and by 1990 the airport had celebrated its 1 millionth aircraft movement.

In 1994 Teesside International Airport announced plans for a £6 million development programme for the south side of the airport with FR Aviation also announcing its intention to base its operations from the airport and in 1995 a refurbishment programme was completed on the runway as well as another £7.5 million being agreed for future development to improve facilities.

In 1996 a new radar system including secondary surveillance was installed at Teesside International Airport. In 1997 the new arrivals area was opened by Tony Blair MP and the British Midland Dedicated Lounges by European Comissioner Neil Kinnock. It was 1997 that also saw the opening of the International departure Lounge by Mo Mowlam MP and the final phase opening of the terminal extension programme by Tony Blair MP.

In 1999 improvements were made to the apron area in order to handle aircraft more efficiently.

In 2003 Peel Airports Ltd became the airports partner and announced investment plans of £20 million over five years as well as bmi baby announcing that Teesside International Airport would be the home to their fourth UK base.

In April 2004 the airport celebrated its 40th anniversary and shortly after changed its name from Teesside International Airport to Durham Tees Valley Airport. To mark this occasion over one hundred passengers departed the airport in a specially chartered aircraft that then arrived to a VIP ceremony to mark the 'birth' of the new Durham Tees Valley Airport.

In 2006 work began on a £1.3 million extension programme to the airport terminal frontage that is still being completed.