Airport is not for sale, says Ben Houchen confirms “expression of interest”.

The Tees Valley mayor has insisted Teesside International Airport is not for sale after interest was expressed for a near half shareholding.

British businessman Michael Flacks said he was “engaged in negotiations with authorities” to acquire a 49 percent stake in the public airport in Darlington. Mr Flacks denied a press report that there were plans to cancel passenger flights.

There is “no intention to close or stop passenger flights,” he said, and plans are to “increase them slightly” through further investment in new facilities such as hangars. Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said his 10-year plan for the airport was working, adding: “It’s not for sale.”

In 2018, an agreement was reached to bring the beleaguered airport back into public ownership, a key promise made by then mayor Lord Houchen. Mr Flacks’ proposed deal, first reported in the Financial Times, would value the airport at £40 million, the same price the local authority paid when it was taken over by Peel Holdings.

Flacks Group’s proposal comes just weeks after the company struck a deal to take over the former Elementis factory in Eaglescliffe while a major redevelopment is planned. The company is moving forward with the development of the site, which is expected to include mixed-use areas, residential and commercial areas, the revitalization of green spaces and the implementation of renewable energy projects.

An airport spokesman confirmed the “expression of interest” and said officials had a duty to conduct due diligence on the offer. Lord Houchen said the interest was a “massive vote of confidence” in the airport and officials had “done it”. I will be careful in evaluating these proposals.

He said: “In my opinion we should never sell our airport, we should protect it for the future. As you might expect, such speculative prospects emerge and officials investigate them because they have to.”

“However, I have always been clear that Teesside Airport should be owned by the public. That is my mission and that is how it should remain.