AN aircraft breaking business has entered administration with the loss of six jobs.

In September, The Northern Echo revealed that Sycamore Aviation, led by a former pilot, had been locked out of its hangar - which housed Lancaster bombers in WWII - at Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA).

Sycamore suffered a fall in orders as airlines eased back on scrappages due to the busy summer and the need for surplus jets to cover potentially expensive flight delay regulations.

Sycamore has previously taken apart and recovered high-value spares from Boeing 737s and Airbuses for clients across the world, dismantling planes from various airlines, including KLM, SpanAir and Moscow International.

Kevin O’Hare, Sycamore’s founder and former captain for Jet2, Flyglobespan and Thomas Cook, hoped he could turn the company around and had bids in place to take apart 12 planes.

Administrators Steven Philip Ross and Ian William Kings of Baker Tilly Restructuring and Recovery in Sunderland have now been appointed.

The firm had been regarded as a cornerstone of the plan by airport owner Peel to revive the loss-making site by developing aviation-related businesses and building houses.

A DTVA spokesman has insisted the airport remains confident its business hub plans would continue, with aviation recycling a key component.