Durham Tees Valley Airport ‘can survive’
08.05.11
The announcement that Plymouth Airport is to close at the end of the year because it does not have enough passengers to justify keeping it open has led industry analysts to suggest that other smaller UK airports soon follow suit, the Northern Echo reports, as the consumer spending squeeze is jeopardising small airports and airlines. Earlier this week, budget airline Flybe issued a profit warning following a dramatic fall in leisure traffic. However, Durham Tees Valley Airport majority owner Vancouver Airport Services has said the continued support from passengers in the North-East will see the airport survive the recession.
Despite the introduction last November of a controversial passenger charge, the numbers of people flying from Durham Tees Valley increased in the first three months of this year. However, that followed 30 consecutive months of decline, with a 35-year passenger low last year, which led doomsayers to predict its imminent demise.
Airport Director Mike Morton told the newspaper: ‘Durham Tees Valley Airport benefits from tremendous local support. The commitment it receives from the region it serves is helping to support future business at the airport.'
‘These are undoubtedly challenging times for all airports in the UK, however we are hopeful that there are sufficient business opportunities for Durham Tees Valley to operate successfully. Whilst there has been a recent decline in traffic, we remain optimistic that passenger numbers will come back, with opportunities constantly being explored to grow all aspects of our business.’
Alongside attempts to introduce new destinations the airport is working to ramp up its revenues from freight operations and private charter flights. The £6 passenger facility fee has also helped to reduce losses at Durham Tees Valley, Mr Morton added.
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