Cargo flights to China are set to take off from Teesside International Airport after UK-based global air freight carrier European Cargo today (3 March) confirmed a deal to create a new operational base at the hub.
With a multi-million-pound investment that will strengthen the airport’s position as a key logistics gateway for the North of England, European Cargo is to establish a major new long-haul air freight link.
Starting this month, the agreement will see the launch of five weekly cargo flights to a key strategic trade hub.
Using European Cargo’s dedicated fleet of Airbus A340-600 long-haul freighters, the service will provide the capacity to transport up to 375 tonnes of freight each week – the equivalent of 60 adult African elephants – opening up faster and more direct export routes for UK manufacturers and businesses.
European Cargo’s Chief Operating Officer, Iain Edwards, said: “Our investment in Teesside reflects our confidence in the region’s infrastructure and its potential as a premier logistics gateway. We are proud that this expansion will drive local job creation and provide a meaningful boost to the regional economy, while further cementing Teesside’s status as a world-class centre for air freight and international trade.”
Teesside Airport Managing Director, Phil Forster, said: “This is a transformational agreement for our airport and a further major milestone in delivering on our ambition to establish Teesside as a leading UK centre for the aviation and logistics industry.
“Securing a new freight base and direct links to China is a pivotal moment that significantly strengthens our commercial offering and demonstrates the confidence global operators have in what we are building here.
“The impact of this deal will be substantial – not only in boosting cargo operations and revenue, but in firmly positioning the airport as a strategic location for aviation, freight and future investment. It underlines our ambition to develop a highly commercially successful airport that plays an essential role in driving the region’s economic future.”
