Teesside Airport Tenerife flights could take off in 2025

The Tees Valley Mayor hinted at positive talks with airlines over the flights to the Canary Island from Teesside as the airport announced its first pre-tax and interest profit in 12 years on Tuesday (August 14).

Lord Houchen vowed to get flights to Tenerife and Malaga earlier this year during his campaign to be re-elected as mayor and has hinted flights could take off next winter. 

When asked about the pledge he told the Echo: “There’s progress in that we’re having discussions with lots of different airlines about it.

“I’m more than confident we’re going to fulfil that promise. The problem is it's never fast enough for people, I get it, that’s the nature of the job, we’re working flat out to deliver those flights.

Ben Houchen (left) at Teesside Airport. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“We’re still trying to get them in potentially for summer next year, if not then we could see Tenerife in particular maybe in winter next year or the summer after (2026).

“As with everything we’re going to do it as fast as we can, it might not be as fast as people like it but we will absolutely deliver on that promise.”

When he made the pledge critics pointed out he had no operational role in the airport and questioned how he would deliver it.

Teesside Airport. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

But Lord Houchen added: “People questioned the same thing when I said I was going to buy the airport. They said ‘It’s got nothing to do with the mayor’ and said you’re not going to deliver these new flights, build stuff at the airport, redevelop the terminal because you don’t have control over it.

“Look at all the things we’ve delivered, the proof is in the pudding. All I can say is people need to judge me on my actions.

“I guarantee you, ideally in the coming months but certainly over the next year or two, we will deliver on that promise.”

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Airport Managing Director Phil Forster said: “It’s well-documented people want us to make sure we get Malaga and Tenerife, we will get those, I will make that firm commitment.”

Ryanair and TUI are the main leisure operators at the airport, with a mix of seasonal and some year-round flights to Spain. Meanwhile KLM and Eastern offer year-round routes to Amsterdam and Aberdeen respectively, with other airlines running seasonal flights to Borgas, Jersey and Iceland.