A NORTH-EAST airport can play an important role in reinforcing the region’s manufacturing and export credentials in a major UK aviation expansion, a report has claimed.

The National Connectivity Task Force (NCTF) says Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) could receive slots in an international hub from an extension at Heathrow Airport.

The recommendations were revealed as the NCTF backed proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow, ahead of a second runway at Gatwick, saying it will deliver wider regional benefits and help retain the North-East’s positive trade balance.

The NCTF’s analysis comes just weeks before the Government-appointed Airports Commission offers its final guidance on the future of UK aviation, with Heathrow and Gatwick both pushing their claims for approval.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Peter Nears, DTVA’s strategic planning director, said: “Whichever option is chosen for expansion in the South-East, it is important that provision is made for slots to provide services from regional airports.

“It is in the national interest that provision of expansion capacity benefits the whole of the country.” 

However, if the proposals came to fruition, it would represent a welcome boost for the site, which saw its daily BMI service to Heathrow end in 2009.

It has also seen passenger numbers drop from nearly one million in 2006 to about 140,000, with its focus now on daily flights to Aberdeen and Amsterdam, though it previously published a rescue plan to ensure its survival, which includes aims to create 3,800 permanent jobs.

The NCTF report said: “DTVA could expect slots into the international hub, which could be transformative on the local economy.

“The Tees Valley contributes £11bn every year to the UK economy, is a major area for chemicals and there are growing clusters in subsea, digital, biologics and energy-from-waste.

“The North-East as a whole is growing and exporting strongly, and the growing manufacturing traditions can be offered globally and more effectively with better connectivity.

Officials at Heathrow say their plans, which are championed by Newcastle Airport, will make allow the UK to overtake France as a key flying hub, deliver 180,000 jobs and more long-haul destinations, and plough £200bn into the British economy.

However, Gatwick has countered, saying its proposals would save the taxpayer billions of pounds and be delivered by 2025, five years ahead of Heathrow’s proposals.

According to the NCTF, if Gatwick was chosen for expansion, spare capacity at RAF Northolt could be used as a regional satellite to provide access to Heathrow’s long haul network.

But Gatwick’s Bishop Auckland-born chief executive Stewart Wingate claimed the report were skewed towards Heathrow.

Mr Wingate, a former apprentice at South West Durham Training, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, said: “Despite its claims to some objectivity, this is clearly an exercise in manufacturing an outcome that suits Heathrow’s ambitions for a third runway.

“We know others in the industry, including other significant UK airports, share this view.

“The issue of connectivity is crucial for the UK and is one that stretches far beyond just Heathrow.

“People across the country have told us that as important as connections to London and destinations beyond are, they also want more direct flights to more global destinations from regional airports.

“For the UK, an expanded Gatwick would mean a stronger system of regional airports, more competition and choice, quicker transfers here, more cost-effective fares, and a better customer experience.”

Reacting to NCTF, a Heathrow spokeswoman said: “We are pleased the taskforce has recognised that as the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow expansion would offer greater regional connectivity benefits for passengers than any other option.

“This builds on the Airports Commission’s findings that Heathrow delivers the greatest economic benefit outside of London and the South-East.”