Plans have been lodged for a new aircraft hangar at Teesside Airport that could create jobs.
Draken Europe wants to expand its facility at the airport, which delivers aviation training contracts with organisations such as the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The business recently took over Cobham Aviation Services, which had operated at the airport for more than 25 years.
The hangar would house up to eight aircraft and create around 30 jobs. It would take over a brownfield site between two existing hangars.
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A planning statement said as well as creating jobs, the scheme would also indirectly support existing employment at Teesside International Airport “through the purchase of goods and services by Draken to support its business activities”.
“The hangar will be located adjacent to Hangar 360, which is Draken’s current operating base,” it continued, “and will use the same aircraft apron as Draken’s current operations. Aircraft will be manoeuvred into and out of the hangar using tugs, and not under their own power.”
Draken acquired the Cobham Aviation Services base in January. It recently signed a new long-term deal to continue operation of its fleet of five Dassault Falcon Jets from their airport base “for many years to come”. The newly branded Draken Jets use “advanced aviation and surveillance technologies”, the airport said.
The firm’s “highly-skilled” team delivers “mission-critical global aviation services for military and civil customers worldwide including the Ministry of Defence”, an airport spokesperson said.
The expansion of Teesside International Airport is under way, with work on its new viewing platform and Sky Bar progressing well. Old office space is being transformed to give “passengers and public alike” the chance to see flights arriving and departing at Teesside – in “comfort and style”.
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