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New routes from Teesside Airport

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Mojo

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A real coup for the Conservative mayor for Tees Valley, a year after it was partially renationalised and more recently renamed back to Teesside Airport.

Six new routes within the British Isles to commence over the next few months:

Cardiff – Monday 10 February
Belfast – Monday 9 March
Dublin – Monday 9 March
Southampton – Monday 9 March
London City – Monday 27 April
Isle of Man – Saturday 30 May

As well as an enhanced service on the existing Eastern Airways route to Aberdeen.
 
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ainsworth74

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We'll see a) how well they do and b) how long they last.

I'm not personally convinced that there's that much of a market between Teesside - Cardiff, Southampton, Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Man. I have a faint hope for London City but even then London City might be fine for those visiting London but isn't that hot for connections into long haul routes. When the airport previously had a London route (to Heathrow) the impression I had was it mostly about connecting into long haul flights (a bit how the Amsterdam service is more about connections than actually linking Teesside and Amsterdam) rather than linking Teesside to London.

Still I suppose I should be praying for success really seeing as I, along with other North East residents, are directly on the hook for this vanity project since the airport was nationalised into the majority ownership of the Tees Valley Combined Authority.
 

roadierway77

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Odd coincidence - I was talking to somebody the other week about the possibility of a flight from Teesside to London City.

I think it's great news for the airport. While its possible (and unfortunately I'd say likely) that not all the routes will stand the test of time, hopefully the addition of these new flights will continue the upward trend in passenger numbers for 2020.

Now all it needs is a regular public transport link. If only there was a train station nearby...
 

ainsworth74

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If only there was a train station nearby...

You mean the railway station that even when it had every train calling still didn't manage to attract any usage? That station? Yeah, let's not try and resurrect that idea.
 

Darandio

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Now all it needs is a regular public transport link. If only there was a train station nearby...

I can only assume you are completely unfamiliar with the history of public transport links to the airport. @ainsworth74 covers the train service above, it's been done to death. There was also a regular dedicated free bus service from Darlington directly to the airport, people didn't bother with that even when passenger numbers were high. Late last year they introduced an extension to the airport on a current service route, that won't get used much either and will inevitably die a death.
 

Marton

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Dublin could be interesting as one can, I believe, do USA border control there making arrival in the USA easier.
 

scotrail158713

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You mean the railway station that even when it had every train calling still didn't manage to attract any usage? That station? Yeah, let's not try and resurrect that idea.
I can only assume you are completely unfamiliar with the history of public transport links to the airport. @ainsworth74 covers the train service above, it's been done to death. There was also a regular dedicated free bus service from Darlington directly to the airport, people didn't bother with that even when passenger numbers were high. Late last year they introduced an extension to the airport on a current service route, that won't get used much either and will inevitably die a death.
Is that not because the airport currently only has 2(?) routes so there’s not exactly huge passenger numbers anyway?
 

ainsworth74

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Is that not because the airport currently only has 2(?) routes so there’s not exactly huge passenger numbers anyway?

Even when the airport was closing in on 1m passengers per year (it never got there but still) in the mid-00s no-one used public transport to access the airport.
 

S&CLER

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We'll see a) how well they do and b) how long they last.

I'm not personally convinced that there's that much of a market between Teesside - Cardiff, Southampton, Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Man. I have a faint hope for London City but even then London City might be fine for those visiting London but isn't that hot for connections into long haul routes. When the airport previously had a London route (to Heathrow) the impression I had was it mostly about connecting into long haul flights (a bit how the Amsterdam service is more about connections than actually linking Teesside and Amsterdam) rather than linking Teesside to London.

Still I suppose I should be praying for success really seeing as I, along with other North East residents, are directly on the hook for this vanity project since the airport was nationalised into the majority ownership of the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

On another thread (Stating the case for 5 tph on Transpennine North) in Speculative Ideas, I asked in passing if a Teesside Parkway at Eaglescliffe Junction wouldn't be a better use of public funds than Teesside Airport. No one has responded to that particular idea yet on that thread.
 

Starmill

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The Airport is only around 6 miles from Darlington station, so it's appalling that a politician has used public money to promote flying between the area and London. If he were interested in improving the links between the area and central London, he could have looked at improving public transport to and from Darlington station, or developing that service in a better way. Scarce little time can be saved over the existing rail time of 2h20.

I suppose this sort of pernicious policymaking is normal for local Conservatives though. What an awful leader.
 

jkkne

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If Eastern couldn’t make LCY work from Newcastle I don’t see a huge hope for Teesside.

Likewise with BHD which Flybe failed at ncl with.

I’m just not sure with both Newcastle and LBA in such easy reach how big the Teesside market. I’d imagine bucket and spade would be more popular than business flights, industry is hardly booming on Teesside
 

Starmill

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I’m just not sure with both Newcastle and LBA in such easy reach how big the Teesside market. I’d imagine bucket and spade would be more popular than business flights, industry is hardly booming on Teesside
The sort of large organisations which have regular need to have staff in London are simply not located in Teesside in large numbers generally. For what small measure of price inelastic business demand there is, the train service is significantly quicker than average for this country.

So yes almost any other populated area to London would probably have slightly better prospects.
 

ainsworth74

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I’m just not sure with both Newcastle and LBA in such easy reach how big the Teesside market.
Don't forget that TPE services to/from Redcar Central and Darlington combine to give a roughly 2tph direction train service to Manchester (admittedly it's not very reliable at the moment!) so you have two fairly large local airport and another even larger airport which is very well connected to the area.

The Airport is only around 6 miles from Darlington station, so it's appalling that a politician has used public money to promote flying between the area and London. If he were interested in improving the links between the area and central London, he could have looked at improving public transport to and from Darlington station, or developing that service in a better way. Scarce little time can be saved over the existing rail time of 2h20.
Well it's just electioneering to be honest. Improving Teesside Airport is a vote winner. Whilst I'm sure new routes will help to stimulate demand the reality that the majority of Teesside residents will continue to use a variety of different larger more well connected airports for the travel needs. But they like the idea that there's a local airport. They'll never use it but it's the idea that they like. A bit like how bank branches or post offices closing in villages or small towns attracts a great deal of opposition from people who have probably never have and never well set foot within. But they do like the idea of having one...
 

Mojo

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The Airport is only around 6 miles from Darlington station, so it's appalling that a politician has used public money to promote flying between the area and London.
Reading the plan it isn’t clear that any public money has been used for the flights. £40 Million was spent on buying a share in the airport but that also allows for releasing other land nearby. Regional authorities purchasing airports isn’t unusual; in 2013 the (Labour) Welsh Government bought Cardiff Airport for £52 Million.
 

Marton

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As a regular Teesside London traveller it would take a lot to move from half hourly rail transport to a couple of flights to/from London City. Lack of seats for flexible travellers in First on Azuma might be one reason though. Last Thursday there were virtually no green lights on the 1530.

Cardiff, where I go once or twice a year might be more interesting if the times work. At present the best way is via London.
 

Starmill

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Reading the plan it isn’t clear that any public money has been used for the flights. £40 Million was spent on buying a share in the airport but that also allows for releasing other land nearby. Regional authorities purchasing airports isn’t unusual; in 2013 the (Labour) Welsh Government bought Cardiff Airport for £52 Million.
The changes at Cardiff Airport were equally controversial, as are the expensive subsidised flights supported by the Welsh Government.

Cardiff, where I go once or twice a year might be more interesting if the times work. At present the best way is via London.
Indeed. Quite interesting too because tickets from (for example) Middlesbrough to Cardiff Central are not valid to use via London.

Oh and if you're gonna claim Dublin is in the British Isles again you want to watch out with that sort of thing as well.
 
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Meerkat

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New flights from London City to Teeside?!?
Who is the market for that!?
 

class26

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New flights from London City to Teeside?!?
Who is the market for that!?

I think i would wait a while to see if these flights lasted before committing any money to the station given its present usage
These new flights are with small aircraft and small aircraft usually mean high fares and those pax will not be using rail to the airport I reckon
 
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Alan2603

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I think i would wait a while to see if these flights lasted before committing any money to the station given its present usage
These new flights are with small aircraft and small aircraft usually mean high fares and those pax will not be using rail to the airport I reckon

Very interesting that flights to both London City and Belfast City airports are scheduled to start from the 9th March 2020:

https://www.easternairways.com/news/66/airline-to-develop-major-network-from-teesside-international

Airline to develop major network from Teesside International

A network of Flybe franchise routes linking Teesside International Airport with the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland, including London and Dublin, have today been announced.

Services will be launched by Flybe franchise partner, Eastern Airways, connecting Teesside with London City, Belfast City, Cardiff, Dublin, Southampton and the Isle of Man, alongside the existing Aberdeen route and the summer Jersey service by Flybe.

Flights to London City and Southampton will be twice daily, Dublin and Belfast City six times a week, Cardiff five times a week and the Isle of Man for the seasonal TT race weeks. These complement the up to three times daily Aberdeen service operated for 20 years by Eastern.

Cardiff flights will commence on 10 February 2020, Belfast City, Dublin and Southampton on 9 March, London City on 27 April and the Isle of Man on 30 May.

Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ General Manager Commercial & Operations, said: “This is a significant strategic partnership for both the airline and airport to develop the number of destinations available from Teesside Airport. The mix of business and leisure travellers in the region will benefit from this major expansion of three based aircraft operating a broad Teesside network of Flybe routes operated by Eastern Airways, including a number of onward connections in the wider flybe network.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Teesside International Airport is hugely important to our local economy and the investment that will create the good quality, well-paid jobs we all want to see come to our region won’t come on a bus, it will come via our airport terminal.

“Our local people want connections to some of the UK and Ireland’s biggest cities, including a direct route to our capital. Eastern Airways shares our vision for fantastic transport connections and has worked with the airport for years. We’re delighted they are strengthening their ties with us, bringing their expertise of the local market to help secure the airport’s future.”

All flights will be bookable and on sale at flybe.com in the coming days. Fares will start from £69.99 one-way including taxes and charges.

On board Eastern Airways operated flights, passengers are offered a full range of complimentary drinks and snacks. Regular customers will also benefit from discounted route passes offering savings of up to 40%.

Yorkshire and Humber based Eastern Airways was formed in 1997. As well as operating scheduled flights, the airline also specialises in providing customer-focused charter services for the energy industry, corporate and sports contracts and ad-hoc charters.


The only problem is that they are not available to book yet on the Flybe website (which the Eastern Airways website directs to for bookings).

https://www.easternairways.com/book-your-flight

Only the Cardiff and Aberdeen flights are bookable (from what Flybe still call Durham Tees Valley Airport)!

It is really not a lot of use if you cannot book flights 5 weeks in advance of the new services starting.

Sadly I think the whole thing is doomed to failure already (including upgrading the railway station)!
 

Roose

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Dublin could be interesting as one can, I believe, do USA border control there making arrival in the USA easier.
Carlisle Not The Lake District Airport made much of this in advance of launching their new routes.

No good there, though, if you want to travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday (no flights) leave Dublin for the US before evening or your return flight gets you in to Dublin after 8:30am (due to timings of the single Carlisle flight each of the five days it operates).

Overnight stays in Dublin therefore tend to be necessary, thus negating much of the touted advantage of pre-clearane of US border controls in Dublin.
 

Brissle Girl

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Having arrived at LAX a few days ago and only waited for 5 mins the new self service kiosks seem to have made a big difference to waiting times for non US citizens. So I wonder whether the Aer Lingus benefit will be quite as attractive in future when you consider the layover time in Dublin against a direct flight. And of course there is no benefit at all on the way home.
 

MarkWiles

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Cardiff is an interesting route, I wonder if this is hoping to pick up on any steel or chemical business traffic with the South Wales steel and chemical industries? The existing "Ieuanair" Valley-Cardiff WAG flights seem to be worked by an aircraft that then does a Cardiff-Newcastle and return so I assume the Teesside service will be an additional aircraft.

Surprisingly, when Air Wales used to fly the Jolly Rd Dragon ATRs over to Norwich it did make money, and it only stopped when Air Wales pulled out of scheduled services. Perhaps Eastern could look at that too, apparently it was popular with the food and agri-research sectors in Norfolk and Norwich and their colleagues in South Wales.
 

darloscott

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Cardiff is an interesting route, I wonder if this is hoping to pick up on any steel or chemical business traffic with the South Wales steel and chemical industries? The existing "Ieuanair" Valley-Cardiff WAG flights seem to be worked by an aircraft that then does a Cardiff-Newcastle and return so I assume the Teesside service will be an additional aircraft.

Surprisingly, when Air Wales used to fly the Jolly Rd Dragon ATRs over to Norwich it did make money, and it only stopped when Air Wales pulled out of scheduled services. Perhaps Eastern could look at that too, apparently it was popular with the food and agri-research sectors in Norfolk and Norwich and their colleagues in South Wales.
It directly replaces the Newcastle stop on the Aberdeen route.
 

Goldie

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A real coup for the Conservative mayor for Tees Valley, a year after it was partially renationalised and more recently renamed back to Teesside Airport.

Six new routes within the British Isles to commence over the next few months:

Cardiff – Monday 10 February
Belfast – Monday 9 March
Dublin – Monday 9 March
Southampton – Monday 9 March
London City – Monday 27 April
Isle of Man – Saturday 30 May

As well as an enhanced service on the existing Eastern Airways route to Aberdeen.

Fair play - and it helps to explain why the government was keen not to see Flybe vanish. But I'd guess these routes will be irrelevant for almost everyone on Teesside. My missus works for a company which might in theory use Teesside Airport. In practice, it makes more sense to them to put staff on the train to Manchester or London where they can use the travel time productively.

If the government is going to dabble in transport on Teesside, it could do a lot worse than dusting off the Tees Valley Metro plans and building on them. With beautiful scenery in the North Yorkshire Moors, Weardale and the upper Tees at each end of the region, and the Darlington - Stockton - Middlesbrough connurbation in the middle, there's a strong case for much better and faster regional rail.
 

Tetchytyke

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I suppose this sort of pernicious policymaking is normal for local Conservatives though. What an awful leader.

Ben Houchen is a walking lobotomy, but this is a potential vote winner, and the mayoral election is coming up. Expect the flights to die away very quickly when the subsidy dries up.

And there must be some subsidy changing hands, Eastern cut loads of flights from Newcastle as they weren't making them any money.

Eastern couldn't make Newcastle-IOM work, so I don't see how Teesside will be any better. Same with Newcastle-City and Newcastle-Stansted. Maybe subsidised landing slots will be enough to bring the flights to profit, but that seems a precarious business.
 

darloscott

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Announced this evening a new route by Eastern to Alicante for summer holidays, twice a week from mid July. Operated by their Embraer 170 apparently, which is rumoured to be taking over LCY eventually too. Comments from Eastern MD suggests they're looking at a wider European network for summer 2021, which would certainly be a step away from what they do currently. Having said that I suppose anything is on the map when you're getting paid for it!
 

TUC

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New flights from London City to Teeside?!?
Who is the market for that!?
What makes you think there aren't business people who travel between Teesside and London? That's a significant part of Grand Central and LNER's market.
 
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