First flights to London from Teesside International Airport take off as area regains sky link with capital

More than a decade since the last scheduled passenger service departed to London Heathrow, Teesside International Airport has regained its link to one of the world’s busiest airports.
Eastern Airways new flightEastern Airways new flight
Eastern Airways new flight

Eastern Airways’ new service took to the skies this week, becoming the only regional airline to operate into Heathrow.

A 76 seat E-Jet Embraer 170 aircraft operates the daily service, and both Eastern Airways and Teesside Airport are continuing discussions with other airlines to make connections for onward travel via Heathrow even easier.

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Roger Hage, General Manager Commercial & Operations for Eastern Airways, said: “As the UK’s regional airline, we at Eastern Airways are all about connecting people and places, which by providing a rare new domestic service into London Heathrow adds a wide array of onward destinations for business and leisure needs, vital for the economic recovery and prosperity of the Teesside region as a whole.

The First Heathrow Flight Taking off from Teesside AirportThe First Heathrow Flight Taking off from Teesside Airport
The First Heathrow Flight Taking off from Teesside Airport

"It also makes for a quick and comfortable option for all to reach the capital or Teesside and adds to our growing network of services supporting the region. We also become the only UK regional airline operating into the capital’s hub in our own name.”

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen said: “In just 18 months we’ve gone from our airport facing the prospect of imminent closure, before I did the deal to save it, to an ever-expanding list of destinations and the first plane departing to Heathrow in over a decade.

“This amazing new route gives holidaymakers from Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool access to more than 180 destinations across the world and will play an important role in my plan for jobs for local workers as we recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

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“Linking Teesside to Heathrow, one of the world’s best airports, will mean our amazing companies are not only able to do business in London but can capitalise on our global aspirations with onward flights to scores of worldwide destinations. We will also be able to welcome more investors from around the world through our terminal, investors who will create the good-quality well paid jobs we want to see come to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Fares on the new route currently start from £54.99 one way, including taxes and charges and are bookable at www.easternairways.com, with all fares including 15kg of complimentary hold baggage.

Passengers purchasing the Flex fare will have access to the Lufthansa Senator and Business Lounge at Heathrow among its other connection facilities.

This new route, which is a further expansion of the airline’s developing network from Teesside, comes just a week after Eastern Airways’ first Teesside flights to Southampton resumed following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, with Aberdeen already increased to twice daily and Belfast City following in a matter of weeks.

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Eastern Airways’ services continue to be carefully reintroduced since Covid-19 restrictions were easing with extensive cleaning measures on-board and throughout all aspects of the airport for the safety of all passengers.

A full anti-bacterial wipe down of all touch points between every service operated and also a comprehensive aircraft night-stop sanitisation is implemented.

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