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Airbourne Colours opens second Teesside facility, creating 40 new jobs

From left: Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, Airbourne Colours Chief Executive Steve Darbyshire and Teesside Airport Managing Director Phil Forster
From left: Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, Airbourne Colours Chief Executive Steve Darbyshire and Teesside Airport Managing Director Phil Forster © Airbourne Colours

Airbourne Colours has opened a second multi-million-pound aircraft painting facility at Teesside Airport. The move marks another major step in the firm’s rapid expansion and will create up to 40 new jobs.

The new 27,000 ft² unit, completed on schedule this month, is now fully operational. Located on the airport’s north side, it will help the company meet rising demand from airlines worldwide. The site can handle narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 MAX 10.

Airbourne Colours Founder and Chief Executive Steve Darbyshire said: “It is outstanding to see the completion of our fantastic new facility at Teesside Airport which is essential in helping us meet the demand from our clients across the global aircraft industry.”

The company first began operations at Teesside Airport in October 2024 with its original painting facility. Since then, Airbourne Colours has experienced strong growth, supported by steady demand from major airlines across Europe.

With an annual turnover of £15 million (US$19.65), the firm serves leading carriers including Jet2, BA Cityflyer, Loganair, Smartlynx, SAS, TAP Portugal, Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa, and Brussels Airlines.

The new Teesside site will boost capacity and efficiency while supporting long-term contracts from both existing and new clients. Moreover, it reinforces the airport’s role as a growing hub for aviation services in the Northeast.

As Airbourne Colours celebrates 15 years in business, the expansion highlights its strong reputation in aircraft finishing and maintenance — and its commitment to investing in local talent and facilities.

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VP Sales & Business Development Americas
Tamar Jorssen
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