The first FedEx flight has been welcomed at Teesside International Airport after the world’s largest express transportation company began air cargo operations under a major new deal.
FedEx has signed a five-year agreement for an airfreight handling facility at Teesside Airport to meeting growing import and export demand.
FedEx has relocated its cargo operation from Newcastle Airport to Teesside – bringing eight additional inbound and outbound flights a week.
The company has also recommitted to its existing road operation, currently based in Hangar 1, by signing a separate new five-year lease.
The new cargo operation is based out of Hangar 3 and the first flight touched down on Monday evening.
The operation will provide capacity for 196,000 lbs of cargo to be transported through the airport each week and will provide increased access to key markets.
Alun Cornish, Managing Director of Ramp and Gateways Operations for Northern Europe for FedEx, said: “It’s always a joy to see the first plane come in to land at a new site. Teesside International Airport was chosen because it provides excellent access to Yorkshire and the Northeast and we’re seeing increased import and export demand from customers in this region, as businesses in this area continue to grow in number and strength.
“Our road operation being based out of the airport at Hangar 1 means we’ll also be able to get packages from flights into the road even more quickly, making the decision to set-up at Teesside even more beneficial for our customers.”
Teesside International Airport Managing Director Phil Forster added: “It is fantastic to welcome the first FedEx flight under this new agreement, which builds on our excellent relationship with a world-leading company.
“This is a significant step into the cargo market and we look forward to growing our operations further in the future thanks to the investments taking place across the airport estate.”
The FedEx deal follows recent significant investments from the private sector at Teesside Airport, including a £25million investment from Willis Aviation to create a new engineering base, which will create over 200 jobs.
The first 25,000ft unit of the £200million Business Park South has been built alongside the link road connecting the development to the A67. The southside business park will ultimately create 4,400 jobs when fully operational.
Construction of Hangar 4 is nearing completion on Business Park North. The new facility will be the base for aircraft paint company Airbourne Colours, which is making a £6.5million investment.
For further information on development opportunities and available property at Teesside International Airport, contact commercial agents Colliers or AREA.
