FedEx will switch its northeast England operation to Teesside International Airport after signing a five-year deal for an airfreight handling facility at the airport.
The change will see the express giant move its eight inbound and outbound flights from Newcastle Airport.
The cargo operation is due to begin in June and will provide capacity for just under 90 tonnes of cargo to be transported through the airport each week.
The company has also recommitted to its existing road operation by signing a separate five-year lease.
Alun Cornish, managing director of ramp and gateways operations for Northern Europe for FedEx, said: “At FedEx, we are seeing increasing import and export demand to and from the region, so our presence here will enable us to get goods to our customers faster.”
Teesside International Airport managing director Phil Forster added: “This new partnership is a brilliant and significant step into the cargo market, and is a sign of things to come at Teesside Airport.
“We are working tirelessly to make sure our business is sustainable for the long-term and this is another big leap forward.”
The airport has been investing in its cargo infrastructure over recent years. In January, it was approved as a Border Control Point (BCP) meaning it can handle perishable produce such as flowers, fruit and vegetables.
This development comes after the airport opened a £2.5m freight facility last year, which offers a 21,000 sq ft hangar with security screening technology, handling, freight forwarding, customs clearage and storage.
https://www.aircargonews.net/cargo-airport/teesside-airport-approved-for-perishable-handling/