Willis signs landmark deal to drive major expansion at Teesside Airport

A major deal has been agreed to support a multi-million-pound expansion of aircraft maintenance operations at Teesside International Airport. The move will create hundreds of skilled engineering jobs and boost the region’s growing aviation sector.

Willis Aviation Services Limited (WASL) has signed a 250-year lease for 50 acres of airport land. The long-term agreement will enable the development of up to six new aircraft hangars for both narrow- and wide-body jets. Five of these will be located within a new ‘Aviation Village’ on land to the west of the airport.

The private investment marks the latest step in Willis’ continued commitment to Teesside. It follows the recent opening of the company’s £13.5 million (US$18 million) twin-bay hangar, a modern facility built to handle major maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations.

The deal also highlights confidence in Teesside’s future as a key hub for aviation excellence. It will further strengthen the airport’s reputation as a centre for engineering, maintenance, and innovation.

Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside International Airport, praised the company’s long-standing partnership. “Willis Aviation has been a fantastic supporter of Teesside Airport for many years,” he said. “This long-lease agreement is a huge step in their commitment to our airport and our region.”

He added: “Their investment in a new twin-bay hangar and the maintenance contracts they’ve secured show how serious their team is about growing here. They’re creating more well-paid, skilled jobs and helping develop a thriving aviation cluster here at Teesside.”

The creation of the new Aviation Village will expand capacity for maintenance, storage, and engineering innovation — securing Teesside’s position as a key player in the UK’s aviation industry for decades ahead.