Teesside International Airport (MME)
Teesside International Airport (MME) — formerly Durham Tees Valley Airport — is located near Darlington in County Durham, 6 miles east of Darlington town centre and 15 miles south of Middlesbrough. It serves the Tees Valley region, handling approximately 500,000 passengers per year.
The airport is owned by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and is a strategic asset for the region's economic ambitions. The flagship route is Amsterdam Schiphol, operated by Eastern Airways with a KLM codeshare — connecting Tees Valley businesses and travellers to KLM's extensive global network without the journey to a major hub airport. Eastern Airways also operates Aberdeen for the North Sea energy sector.
Loganair provides domestic connectivity to Belfast City, Edinburgh, and Manchester, while TUI operates seasonal charter services to Mediterranean and Canary Island leisure destinations. The airport continues to attract new route announcements as part of the region's growth strategy.
Single terminal — less crowded than Newcastle
⚠️ No direct rail link — Darlington station (East Coast Main Line) is 6 miles away. Plan your transfer in advance.
Routes from MME
Teesside Airport FAQs
Newcastle has a far wider range of direct routes and is better for leisure travel with many destination options. Teesside wins for speed and convenience if you live in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton, or Hartlepool — and the Amsterdam KLM codeshare gives access to a global network. For frequent business travellers in the Tees Valley corridor, Teesside's quick check-in and security represent a significant time saving.
Eastern Airways' Teesside–Amsterdam service carries a KLM flight number. This means you can book a single ticket from Teesside through to hundreds of KLM and SkyTeam alliance destinations — New York, Singapore, Tokyo, Nairobi — with luggage checked through and protection under a single booking if connections are missed. It is the most valuable route at Teesside for business travellers needing international connectivity.
Teesside has a history of offshore energy connections and the Aberdeen route serves many North Sea industry workers. The Tees Valley is a significant energy sector cluster. Contact the airport directly for current offshore charter information — this changes with industry demand.
A bus service runs to Darlington bus station in approximately 30 minutes for around £4. Taxis cost approximately £15–20 and take 15–20 minutes. There is no direct rail link — Darlington station (East Coast Main Line) is 6 miles away. Pre-booking a taxi is advisable as availability at the terminal can be limited.
Yes — the Amsterdam KLM connection, Aberdeen route, and domestic links to Edinburgh, Belfast, and Manchester make it a practical business airport. Faster check-in and security than Newcastle are a genuine advantage for regular travellers. The airport is used by many of the region's major employers in chemicals, manufacturing, and financial services.
Since the Tees Valley Combined Authority acquired the airport, it has been the subject of significant investment and an active route development programme. Terminal upgrades and new route additions are ongoing priorities. Check the airport's website for the latest announcements — new routes are added regularly.
Short Stay parking is adjacent to the terminal and convenient for all trip lengths. Long Stay is the economy option for holidays. Pre-booking online gives a lower rate. The airport is much less crowded than Newcastle, making parking and navigation straightforward.
Eastern Airways operates Amsterdam (KLM codeshare) and Aberdeen. Loganair serves Belfast City, Edinburgh, and Manchester. TUI runs seasonal holiday charters in summer. Route announcements are ongoing — check the airport website for the latest schedule.
Transport to Teesside Airport
| Bus to Darlington | ~30 min · approx £4 · bus station to airport |
| Bus to Middlesbrough | ~30 min · regular service |
| Taxi to Darlington | ~15–20 min · approx £15–20 |
| Taxi to Middlesbrough | ~30 min · approx £20–25 |
| No direct rail link | Darlington station (ECML) is 6 miles away · connect by bus or taxi |
| Drive | 6 miles east of Darlington · 15 miles south of Middlesbrough · A66 / A1(M) junction 57 |
Compare parking options
Pre-booking online saves money and guarantees a space. Teesside is far less crowded than Newcastle — parking is rarely a problem.
Who flies from MME?
| Eastern Airways | Amsterdam (KLM codeshare — global connections) · Aberdeen |
| Loganair | Belfast City (BHD) · Edinburgh · Manchester |
| TUI | Seasonal summer holiday charters — Mediterranean and Canary Islands |
Teesside Airport FAQs
Newcastle for wider route choice. Teesside for speed, convenience, and the KLM Amsterdam connection if you live in the Tees Valley. Business travellers in Darlington or Middlesbrough often find Teesside faster door-to-gate than the journey to Newcastle.
Eastern Airways operates under a KLM flight code (KL). Book a through ticket at klm.com or a travel agent — one booking covers Teesside to Amsterdam and onward to hundreds of KLM and SkyTeam destinations worldwide, with luggage checked all the way through.
The Aberdeen route serves many North Sea workers. The Tees Valley is a significant energy cluster. Contact the airport for current offshore charter arrangements — these vary with industry demand.
Bus to Darlington bus station takes 30 min (around £4). Taxi takes 15–20 min and costs around £15–20. No direct rail link — Darlington ECML station is 6 miles from the airport.
Yes — particularly for KLM connections, Aberdeen business travel, and domestic routes. Fast security and check-in make it more time-efficient than Newcastle for frequent Tees Valley travellers.
The Tees Valley Combined Authority has invested in terminal improvements and is pursuing new route agreements. New announcements are regular — check the airport website for the latest.
Short Stay (adjacent to terminal, from £10/day) and Long Stay (economy, from £6/day). Pre-booking online saves money. The airport is far less congested than Newcastle — parking is easy and access is quick.
Eastern Airways (Amsterdam KLM codeshare, Aberdeen), Loganair (Belfast City, Edinburgh, Manchester), and TUI seasonal charters. Check the airport website for new route announcements.