Flying south again...

Nov 2 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

NORTH-EAST business leaders have welcomed a new flight route to the South of England, which takes off from Durham Tees Valley Airport from today.

Eastern Airways’ new twice daily weekday service to Southampton is primarily aimed at business travellers.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), was quick to get behind the new route and said: “The connectivity of the region remains a crucial factor in the recovery of our economy. “North-east businesses must have access to strong and regular links with other regions in the UK and further afield if they are to expand their markets and maximise trading opportunities. The new service to Southampton offers North-east businesses a valuable new route to the South and we welcome it wholeheartedly.”

A number of industries in the Tees Valley have links in Hampshire and the surrounding south coast region, including chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, manufacturing, marine and offshore sectors.

The Serco International Fire Training Centre located adjacent to Durham Tees Valley Airport provides training services to the civil aviation, industrial, offshore and petrochemical industries.

Steve Metcalf, general manager, International Fire Training Centre (IFTC), said: “This new link with the South-west of England enhances the transport infrastructure currently in place and further enhances business opportunities in the region.”

Durham Tees Valley Airport lost its link to the South earlier this year when bmi axed its service to London Heathrow.

Richard Whitehouse, group aviation development manager for Peel Airports, said since the announcement of the Southampton service the airport had been “very encouraged” by the interest shown by local business and the public.