Deal with US MRO provider strengthens Teesside’s developing aviation cluster

Willis Aviation Services, the Florida based global provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, has signed a 250-year lease agreement for 50 acres of land at Teesside Airport.

image: Teesside Airport

The deal paves the way for the development of up to six new narrow and wide-body hangars across the airport estate, including five at a new Aviation Village on land west of the airport.

It follows the opening this month at Teesside of Willis’s new £13.5m twin-bay, fully equipped hanger built to service Boeing 737 and Airbus A320-family aircraft.

The new lease, says the airport, underscores Willis’s long-term confidence in Teesside and further establishes the region’s reputation as a rising centre for global aviation excellence.

Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside International Airport, said, “Willis Aviation has been a fantastic supporter of Teesside Airport for many years, and this long-lease agreement is a huge step in their commitment to our airport and our region.

“Their investment in a new twin-bay hangar and the new maintenance contracts they’ve secured in the past year show just how serious their team is when it comes to growing here and creating more well-paid, skilled jobs on Teesside.

“Teesside is fast becoming the go-to place for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, and we’re taking big strides forward in becoming an ideal one-stop shop for major operators. This is a hugely significant moment for Teesside Airport and a major milestone in securing the airport’s long-term future.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said, “When we saved our airport from closure, we did it because it was the right thing to do. We also believed it had the huge potential to bring so many more jobs for local people and more investment.

“Securing more holiday flights will always be vital, and I’ll never lose sight of that, but the airport has always needed to be about much more than that. The airport is now a hive of activity where we are using the land to grow a brilliant business park and making it a place where major international firms can invest and thrive.

“Willis’s decision to make this long-term investment shows both their confidence in Teesside and in our vision for the airport’s future. It’s a hugely important step that will help put Teesside Airport on a more secure financial footing for years to come and bring hundreds more well-paid jobs for people to build their careers here.”

Darlington Borough Council granted planning permission for the Aviation Village proposals in 2023. Part of the land west of the main terminal building was originally earmarked for 350 homes before it was bought as part of a deal to bring the airport back into public ownership in 2019.

Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of Willis Lease Finance Corporation, said, “This agreement represents a continued commitment to our long-term vision for the region. We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our presence at Teesside and better support global and European maintenance capacity.”

This latest investment builds on the airport’s growing success in developing a thriving aviation cluster, combining passenger services with world-class MRO facilities and business opportunities. The creation of the new Aviation Village will provide further capacity for aircraft maintenance, storage, and engineering innovation.