BOSSES last night claimed Teesside International Airport had a bright future after a crisis meeting shelved plans to revolutionise the way it is run.

They talked about introducing more flights and pressing ahead with plans to develop a major freight handling terminal, which is expected to create thousands of local jobs.

The decision followed a day of turmoil for the local authority -owned airport, which saw two of its most senior figures quit.

Managing director Bob Goldfield and head of marketing Kate O'Hara left amid talk of "appalling uncertainty" plaguing the airport's expansion plans for the past year.

Mr Goldfield, who is leaving his post after eight years to take up a job at Shannon Airport in Southern Ireland, told The Northern Echo that long-running uncertainty over the future ownership of Teesside airport contributed to his decision to leave.

The airport's local authority shareholders had commissioned a report by accountants Ernst and Young into the possibility of bringing in a private company to run the airport.

The idea was vehemently opposed by Stockton North MP Frank Cook, among others, who spoke strongly against the idea of a private company taking a key role at the airport.

Last night, Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, speaking on behalf of the airport's owners, said: "We are optimistic for the future.

"It is now time for a new managing director to come into place and to think very seriously about a number of things - the existing schedule, the new south side freight terminal and increasing passenger numbers, turnover and profitability.

"That may mean looking at how we can bring in external finance."

Earlier in the day, Mr Goldfield talked of why he had decided to leave his post.

"The uncertainty and the business of the consultancy has not helped and is a factor, but it is not the biggest factor," he said.

"Uncertainty in any type of industry, especially in ours where it's all about confidence, is disruptive.

"If we have to spend a lot of time dealing with things such as consultancy reports, we can't spend time doing things like marketing, and talking to customers."

The ideas for bringing in a new management company were shelved after a closed meeting of shareholders, which include Durham County Council and authorities in the Tees Valley.

Pressure on the politicians making the decision had grown following comments by Mr Cook about the departure of Mr Goldfield and Ms O'Hara, who is to take up a post at Leeds/Bradford Airport.

Mr Cook described their decisions to leave as a great loss to Teesside, and said that "appalling uncertainty" had plagued their efforts to develop the airport.