MME: Support your local airport (Durham Tees Valley Airport (MME))

Member Name: Rook252

Product:	Durham Tees Valley Airport (MME)
Date:	13/02/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Local, can be cheaper than more popular routes

Disadvantages: Bit run down, very few routes

Durham Tees Valley airport is located on Teesside, near Eaglescliffe, nowhere near Durham! It was renamed from Teesside airport a few years ago to make it sound classier, but it is quite confusing to anyone who does not know the area, for example those travelling in from abroad. There is no train station at the airport, which hampers the ability to get there via public transport. There is a shuttle bus service which runs from Durham Tees Valley to Darlington train station, this is about every 30mins, and if there are two or more of you travelling it is cheaper just to get a taxi. The airport has been partially modernised recently, however still seems quite dated. It is small, and there are very few facilities once you have gone through to departures, just a duty free and a bar, which serves drinks and sandwiches. The airport is small, with only 4 gates, and less than 20 flights a day most months of the year. However it is a great local facility, that would be missed if it were lost. However at present it faces a vicious cycle, in that it lacks investment as it is seen as dated and out the way, and as a result people fly from Newcastle or Leeds-Bradford, and the investment becomes even less, and routes are being cancelled. When I can I try to fly from my local airport, however there are no routes to more exotic destinations, and I still usually end up at Newcastle

Summary: Good but limited local airport