Airbourne Colours is set to expand its operations at Teesside Airport with the opening of a second aircraft painting hangar, marking another milestone in the airport’s growth as an aviation hub. The new facility, known as Hangar 9, is nearing completion and is expected to begin operations in November this year.
The company, which launched its £6.5 million aircraft-painting facility at Teesside Airport in October last year, has seen rapid success, with its order book already full for the next two years. In response, it is building a second hangar on the north side of the airport to meet rising demand. The new facility will be able to accommodate narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 MAX 10, ensuring the firm can handle some of the most in-demand models currently in service.
The expansion represents a significant vote of confidence in the airport’s business park vision, which has already attracted major deals from Airbourne Colours, Willis Aviation and Draken. Earlier this year, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority Cabinet approved a £12.5 million investment package for airport infrastructure as part of a wider investment plan, enabling the development of Hangar 9.
Steven Darbyshire, Founder and Chief Executive of Airbourne Colours, said: “We need a second hangar to fulfil the demand we’ve had. There’s a backlog in aircraft painting facilities in Europe so we’re building them here at Teesside Airport – and we’re expanding at Teesside Airport. It’s been a source of great pride to set up at Teesside Airport – to return to my roots and bring employment back to where I grew up.”
The growth of Airbourne Colours also ties in with local skills development. Hartlepool College of Further Education has partnered with the company to offer an Aircraft Painting Trainee Programme, creating a practical pathway for careers in aviation. The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority has supported this initiative by funding the initial six-week course through the Adult Skills Fund, aimed at training and employing local people.
With its second hangar soon to open, Airbourne Colours is cementing its place at the heart of Teesside’s aviation sector while contributing to regional job creation and industrial regeneration.
