Packed Malaga Flight Jets Off From Teesside For First Time In 16 Years

Holidaymakers have packed out Teesside Airport’s first flight to Malaga in 16 years.

The first Ryanair flight to the Costa del Sol took off from Teesside on Monday morning (31 March) for the first time since 2009.

Passengers were joined by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen as he travels to Spain to speak to tourism leaders in Andalusia about future developments for the airport and the wider Tees Valley region.

Teesside Airport’s summer season got underway over the weekend with Ryanair flights to Majorca taking off on Sunday, continuing twice a week until 23 October.

And this new service to Malaga will connect families with the sun-drenched Costa del Sol, renowned for its golden beaches and amazing weather.

Malaga had been the most requested destination by Teesside Airport passengers and the new route delivers an election pledge made by Mayor Houchen to bring flights to the resort.

The twice weekly flights on Mondays and Thursdays will run until late October.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s been a real pleasure to see our departure lounge packed with people heading off to the destination so many people were calling for.

“I’m a man of my word and it’s great to deliver on my pledge to bring this sunny gem back to our departure boards.

“The people of Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool have been asking for more sunshine destinations, and it’s great Ryanair have helped us bring back Malaga.

“The hard work doesn’t stop – and I know there’s huge demand to get more destinations linked up to our brilliant airport. I’ll be speaking to leaders in Andalucia this week to strengthen ties with our region as one part of that push.”

Teesside Airport’s Managing Director Phil Forster said: “This is a great addition to our departure boards, and we’re pleased Ryanair have made this further commitment to us as part of their ongoing partnership with us.

“We’re always working to secure more popular flights for destinations holidaymakers want to see – and we’ve been working hard to get our name out there at major industry events. All our staff play a huge role in keeping the airport punching above its weight.

“While it’s still a challenging time ahead for the aviation industry, we’re confident of a great 2025 summer season – and some exciting developments ahead across the airport.”

The Malaga link comes as TUI are now selling package holidays utilising Ryanair flights – with bookings of journeys to and from Teesside included on TUI website search facilities.

It means passengers now have the additional choice to book a summer package holiday via TUI to destinations served by Ryanair from Teesside to destinations like Malaga, Faro, Corfu, Alicante and Majorca.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen cuts a cake to mark the first flight on Monday morning (31 March)

Other holidays from Teesside include:

• Ryanair flights to Majorca began on 30 March twice a week until 23 October.
• Flights to Faro with Ryanair begin on 2 April on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 25 October.
• Alicante retains flights on Ryanair all year round with three flights weekly.
• TUI flights to Dalaman, Turkey, return on Tuesdays this summer.
• TUI trips to Majorca begin in May taking the tally to four flights per week to offer great choice on flexibility for your holidays.
• Weekly flights to Bourgas, Bulgaria, on Balkan Holidays starting in May.

For more information on destinations, and booking flights from Teesside, go to: Destinations – direct from Teesside Airport