Air Partner has handled Teesside International Airport’s first cargo flights.

The airport is attempting to establish itself as a cargo hub, following the closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport earlier this year – which has meant some 10,000 tonnes of cargo must be flown elsewhere each year.

Teesside International said it is able to cover 94.8 per cent of England, Wales and Scotland in six hours.

Over the past two weeks, the Air Partner Cargo team has arranged for three Cessna aircraft to fly automotive cargo into Teesside International for a global manufacturer based in the north of England, with more flights taking place in the next few days.

Air Partner’s vice president of global cargo Pierre Van Der Stichele said: “Air Partner offers 24-hour operational support for arranging aircraft handling, acting as the first point of contact for aircraft operators globally. The successful, swift mobilisation of three turbo prop cargo aircraft in recent weeks is the tip of the iceberg as we intend to handle widebody aircraft at Teesside International Airports in due course to support the growth of such a crucial cargo hub in the UK.”

Accessible from three dual carriageways serving the region, Teesside International Airport said it was set up to operate as a flexible hub to strengthen cargo connectivity in the UK, with a 2,291m runway, on-site fuel farm, unconstrained slot times and fast goods screening capabilities.

The airport’s head of cargo Walter Jones commented: “Teesside International Airport has the capacity and the network to fulfil the current need to fly in 10,000 tonnes of cargo and more. Through working with businesses like Air Partner we know cargo will be taken care of. In two years, Teesside International Airport could be handling 20,000 tonnes of cargo per annum.”