ACCORDING to developers, Moorfield Estates when the work at Teesside Airport is completed, it will stand proudly as one of the world's major cargo handling centres.

But work on the 250-acre development appears as far away as it was way back in April 1999 when the Government overturned its own planning inspector's decision and backed the scheme.

The work was expected to have begun late last year, but 17 months later the airport, and more importantly the local community, are still waiting for work to commence.

Over that time the airport has become a target for takeover, and been at the centre of some very high profile rows.

The Northern group of Labour MP's have met regularly since that time to discuss each new threat which began with talk that the airport was at the centre of a "predatory" takeover bid by Manchester Airport.

When regional development agency One NorthEast stepped into the row, it unveiled plans for Newcastle to become the premier airport in the region.

One of Teesside's most vehement defenders Stockton North MP, Frank Cook, rushed to its defence.

The agency, based in Newcastle, saw the best option for Teesside Airport in fighting off the Manchester bid would be to concentrate on freight, while Newcastle would specialise in passengers.

Mr Cook said at the time: "I'm appalled, but not surprised by the suggestions from the agency.

"Now we know why there have been false reports suggesting Manchester wants to take over Teesside. It's all a whispering campaign to turn Teesside into a freight and holiday-only airport run as a second class airfield."

Earlier this year Gill Airways announced it was withdrawing its Teesside to Belfast service, with all flights to Ireland concentrated at Newcastle.

In the six months alone, since the airport announced a record pre-tax profit of more than £750,000 for 1998-99, with passenger numbers rising to an all time high of almost 700,000, it has seen:

l British Midland cut back flights to London, then threatened to withdraw them altogether. Gill Airways severs franchise service to Paris.

lShareholders discuss plans about airport being handed over to private investors. Frank Cook says both airport board and senior management strongly are opposed to the idea and believe it can expand on its own.

lIn August top executives, Bob Goldfield, general manager, and head of marketing, Kate O'Hara, resign, closely followed by chairman of the board, Councillor Vilma Collins.

WIth airport board members giving their support in principle to the cargo development scheme last night, the airports fiuture looks a whole lot brighter.

Teesside Airport is 40 per cent owned by Durham County Council and 15 per cent each by Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, and Redcar and Cleveland councils