Holidaymakers packed out Teesside Airport’s first flight to Malaga in 16 years this week.
The first Ryanair flight to the Costa del Sol took off from the airport on Monday for the first time since 2009.
The Ryanair flights to Majorca took off on Sunday and will continue twice-weekly – on Mondays and Thursdays – until October 23.
Passengers were joined by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, before he travelled to Spain to speak to tourism leaders in Andalusia about future developments for the airport and the wider Tees Valley region.
He 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.
“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: “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.”
Ryanair flights to Majorca began on March 30 (twice a week) October 23, with.
flights to Faro with Ryanair starting on April 2. Alicante retains flights on Ryanair all year round with three flights weekly.
TUI will operate flights to Dalaman, Turkey, this summer and kicks off services to Majorca in May, taking the tally to four flights per week.
Weekly flights to Bourgas, Bulgaria, with Balkan Holidays, also start in May.
Teesside International was originally an important RAF airfield during the Second World War. Teesside International began commercial operations as Teesside Airport in the mid-1960.
