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Help is There But we must make it easier to reachHeathrow expansion could open the door to a direct connection to Teesside International Airport, according to new research New research identifies Teesside International Airport as one of five UK airports most likely to gain Heathrow connections through expansion New domestic links would boost trade, tourism and investment across the UK. In the North East alone, a new route could generate £28.6 million per year in additional tourism spending Teesside International Airport, other regional airports and businesses urge the Government to unlock the benefits of expansion for the nations and regions of the UK as quickly as possible New research by Frontier Economics has identified Teesside International Airport as one of five UK airports most likely to benefit from restored connections to Heathrow, when additional airport capacity is delivered by a third runway. The analysis also highlights Leeds Bradford, Belfast International, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and Cornwall Airport Newquay as other strong candidates for new domestic links to the UK’s hub airport, based on clear evidence of underlying demand. The findings highlight a significant opportunity to strengthen connectivity between the North East and the world, supporting trade, tourism and investment, from the stunning Northumberland coast to the historic cathedral city of Durham. An expanded Heathrow would strengthen the region’s global connectivity, supporting both international tourism and exporters such as Micropore Technologies, a Redcar-based business specialising in advanced membrane technology for applications ranging from vaccines to cosmetics. Exporting to more than 30 countries, the company relies on strong international connections to continue growing its global reach. A Teesside-Heathrow route could deliver significant economic benefits for the North East, building on strong existing connectivity. Frontier’s research shows flights from Heathrow to Newcastle Airport supported an estimated £28.51m in domestic and £61.39m in international tourism spending a year. More broadly, almost 5 million passengers travelled on Heathrow’s domestic routes last year, generating around £1.2 billion in tourism spending across the UK. A new route operating three times per week could generate £28.6 million in tourism spending in the North East per year according to Frontier, helping to bring more international visitors into the region while supporting local businesses from hotels and restaurants to exporters and manufacturers. For the last twenty years Heathrow has been operating at capacity, with airlines often prioritising the use of limited slots for long haul destinations. As a result, domestic connections have been lost, including the Teesside-Heathrow route, with passengers relying on indirect routes via overseas hubs, offshoring the benefits of connectivity away from the UK. While airlines make decisions on which routes operate at Heathrow, Frontier Economics’ research shows that these routes are viable and expansion would give airlines the headroom to introduce new routes and reinstate lost connections, bringing more of the UK within easy reach of Heathrow’s global network. Heathrow already supports a range of measures to protect and strengthen domestic connectivity, through the domestic passenger discount and work with the GREAT campaign to showcase the best of the UK. Heathrow will also continue to play its part in advocating wider policy reforms, ensuring Public Service Obligation regulations are fit for purpose, amend UK slot allocation rules to include domestic connectivity as a primary criterion, and abolish domestic Air Passenger Duty. That’s why regional airports and businesses call on Government to unlock the benefits of Heathrow expansion for the nations and regions of the UK as quickly as possible. Phil Forster, Managing Director, Teesside Airport said: “Teessiders are proud of what our area has to offer to the world – from breathtaking beauty spots like Roseberry Topping, to the stunning North East coastline and North York Moors on our doorstep. A restored Teesside-Heathrow route would help more visitors experience everything our area has to offer, and for our fantastic businesses, including our growing clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital sector, they would benefit from strengthened access to international markets, investment and trade opportunities via Heathrow.” Alice Andreasen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Newcastle Airport, said: “Almost 500,000 passengers travelled between Newcastle Airport and Heathrow last year, highlighting the importance of this route and the strong demand it continues to see. The service is used extensively by passengers connecting through Heathrow to destinations across the world and brings thousands of visitors to the region each year, delivering significant benefits for the local economy. It is also vital for businesses that rely on strong connections to London and access to key global markets to grow their international presence. This connectivity plays a critical role in supporting jobs, attracting investment and driving economic growth, ensuring the North East continues to thrive and remains a growing, must‑visit destination.” Jen Sykes, Head of Quality and Operations at Micropore Technologies, said: “We export to over 30 countries and rely on strong international connections. We previously benefited from direct access to Heathrow via Teesside, but the loss of that route has made exporting and travel more complex and time-consuming, while also making it harder to attract international visitors. Some are discouraged from travelling altogether, impacting both our business and the region’s reputation. Expanding Heathrow, and reintroducing a Heathrow–Teesside connection, would help companies like ours across the North East trade internationally, attract global partners and support regional growth.” Nigel Milton, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Heathrow, said: “Domestic connectivity has always been central to Heathrow’s role as the UK’s only hub airport. For many communities, these links are not a luxury, they are a lifeline, connecting people and businesses to opportunities across the UK and around the world. With additional capacity, we can strengthen these vital connections and ensure every part of the country can benefit from Heathrow’s global network.” To read the full report and supporting analysis click here.Future Workforce on Show as UTC South Durham Hosts Major Industry EventDurham coastal grasslands project successfully completedMore than 10,000 decorated peg dolls to go on display at Durham Town HallComic Relief and Dungeons & Dragons launch ultimate Kynren adventureBridge ClubFive Acres Thanks New Coundon Three TunsCycling Challenge for Quinn’s RetreatLib Dems Win Horndale By-Election

 

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