DURHAM Tees Valley (DTV) airport’s owner said it remained committed to the facility last night, despite proposed staff cuts and reduced operating hours.

Peel Airports Group last night released proposals, following an eight-month review, which includes the potential axing of 32 posts.

It also aims to introduce a twin terminal operation, cut operating hours and outsource firefighting services.

If the review is fully implemented the remaining 143 staff members would also be responsible for cleaning services and services for passengers with reduced mobility, currently provided by outside contractors.

It comes as airport director Kerry Quinn, in a letter to stakeholders, said that DTV expected to announce scheduled flights by a new operator in the next few days, the latest in a string of additional services unveiled in the last few months Despite losing a number of services during the economic downturn, last year finished on a high note for the airport with the announcement of flights to Jersey through CI Travel Group, a new route from the airport to Bodrum, in Turkey through Holidays 4U, and an Eastern Airways service to Southampton.

In December, Henri Hourcade, the UK and Ireland general manager for Air France KLM, also reconfirmed his airline’s 21-year commitment to DTV.

Last night Peel said the review aimed to ensure the airport could respond to the current economic situtaion and was in a position to secure its long-term future.

Ms Quinn stressed that the review was not a signal of any difficulties, and added: “Absolutely not.

“It is making sure we are planning our future now and making the changes necessary so that we continue to grow.”

The review started in April last year, at the height of difficulties in the aviation industry, but Ms Quinn said that was not behind the review.

She said: “We haven’t rushed, it has been a full review.

“Every business that is wanting to improve the way they do things should take a look at the business regularly.

It is not a knee-jerk reaction.”

Ms Quinn added that 32 was the maximum number of positions that could be cut and it might be less than that.

“Regrettably, creating financial stability in the current economic situation does mean reducing our overall staff numbers and modernising all aspects of the operation, including looking at those services we can best deliver in-house and those which are best outsourced, together with the introduction of greater flexibility through multi-skilling,” she said.

She said that the proposals provide the best way forward to ensure that the airport has a sound future.

The GMB union said last night it was working with the airport to keep redundancies to a minimum.

The twin terminal concept would see the terminal building divided into an all year round premium area targeted at scheduled services and business travellers, and another area which will handle holiday charter and low cost services, primarily during the peak holiday season.

The airport’s operating hours would also be cut from 24-hours-a-day to 4am to 10pm, although it would retain the flexibility to be able to handle aircraft outside those hours.