JUST days after President Bush flew in aboard Air Force One, airline bosses have backed plans to ditch the Teesside Airport name - because it does not have a high enough international profile.

They are supporting the change of name to Durham-Tees Valley.

Airport chiefs have now submitted the name for consideration by its six local authority shareholders in the Tees Valley.

They are to hold a meeting next month, when a verdict on the change will be made by general agreement or by a poll based on the amount of shares held.

The announcement yesterday ended weeks of speculation as it confirmed that Durham-Tees Valley was seen as the name to spearhead a major overhaul of the airport.

Over the next five years, new strategic partner Peel Airports is planning to invest £20m in revitalising the site, with a view to doubling passenger numbers.

The go-ahead for the change will depend on councils in Darlington, Durham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland.

Teesside Airport managing director Hugh Lang said he wanted council chiefs to recognise the "very strong commercial case" for re-branding under the new name.

"The critical factor in delivering that investment programme will be the willingness of airlines to introduce new routes and our ability to maximise opportunities in the rapidly expanding low-cost and regional 'point-to-point' sectors," he said.

"The airlines are united in emphasising that these types of services must attract significant numbers of in-bound passengers.

"That will only be achieved if we are able to deliver a strong brand, based on a 'city' identity that is widely recognised abroad and in the rest of the UK."

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has already branded the Durham-Tees Valley name "madness" and there have been strong calls for the airport to honour legendary explorer Captain James Cook.

But airlines operating from Teesside - including bmi, bmibaby, KLM and Ryanair - have thrown their weight behind the proposed name.

Bmi chief executive Austin Reid said the company's experience in the North-East "has convinced us there is a significant level of ignorance regarding the location of Teesside Airport, both within the UK and particularly continental Europe".

The North-East Chamber of Commerce and Tees Valley Regeneration are also supporting the move.