Boss of global firm working with EasyJet, Jet2 and TUI says returning to Teesside is ‘dream come true’

A "world-leading" aircraft painting firm has been confirmed as a tenant for an upcoming hangar at Teesside Airport^[1].

Airbourne Colours - which works for airlines such as EasyJet, Jet2, Loganair, TUI, Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines - has announced a new airport base^[2] at a 27,000sq hangar which still under construction. Works on the hangar, which is earmarked for completion in 2024, were green-lit by planners back in October.

Founder, chief executive, and fellow Teessider Steve Darbyshire is returning to his roots^[3] for the project, saying it is a "personal childhood dream come true". Airbourne Colours has an annual turnover of more than £10m, and is Europe's only privately-owned aircraft painting company, with only one other competitor in the UK.

Steve, 49, said: “Little did I know that after 14 years since Airbourne Colours’ inception in a location over 300 miles from Teesside Airport, I would get the opportunity to return back to my roots. It fills me with great pride to be part of this journey, to be able to contribute to the regeneration of the airport, and provide well paid jobs in Teesside.

"This is a personal childhood dream come true.”

It is reported that 40 new jobs are in the offing, with Airbourne Colours, which already employs more than 150 people at its UK sites, investing £6.5m in the establishment of the Teesside base. British Steel will now be erected as the project progresses.

Barnard Castle-based S&A Fabrications is the main contractor on the development, which will see more than 230 tonnes of steel used in its construction. The development will also include car parking and a concrete apron to access the hangar from the taxiway.

This follows several updates at the airport, including a £25m investment from Willis Aviation to create a new engineering base, which is said to create over 200 jobs. The first 21,105sq ft unit of the £200m Business Park South has now been built as well as a 1.5km road connecting the site to the A67.

This news comes just days after it was reported that the airport had drawn down more than £60m in loans^[4] out of a £88m taxpayer pot in its first four years. Annual accounts showed how the taxpayer-owned airport remained in the red, despite losses dropping over 60% from £11.9m in 21/22 to £4.5m the following financial year.

An airport spokesperson previously said the loans were being used to "support the expansion of Teesside Airport^[5] including terminal improvements, capital investments in the freight and new business park, operational costs including the general running of the airport and paying staff wages."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen hailed the news of Airbourne Colours' new base as "great news" and said it was "good to see a successful Teessider leading the charge". He added that projects like this mean the site is "delivering fantastic new opportunities for great businesses and driving forward our economy."

For further information on development opportunities and available property at Teesside International Airport, contact commercial agents Colliers^[6] or Dodds Brown^[7].

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References

1. ^{^} Teesside Airport (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} new airport base (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} returning to his roots (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
4. ^{^} airport had drawn down more than £60m in loans (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Teesside Airport (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Colliers (linkprotect.cudasvc.com)
7. ^{^} Dodds Brown (linkprotect.cudasvc.com)
8. ^{^} click this link and select 'Join Community (chat.whatsapp.com)
9. ^{^} Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
10. ^{^} can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
11. ^{^} Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
12. ^{^} go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)