The airfield that now stands as Teesside International Airport opened in 1941, during World War II, serving as an RAF base then known as RAF Middleton St George, it was home to several bomber squadrons of the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. Aircraft based here throughout the wartime period were Lancasters, Wellingtons, Whitleys and Halifax Bombers.

In 2004 the Airport name was changed to Durham Tees Valley Airport, this was in an attempt to make the area more known to potential visitors, with the general belief that more people know where Durham is rather than Teesside.  In 2006 the airport had its peak of passengers numbers, which were 917,963, after that period the airport suffered a decline in which numbers went as low as 130,911. Since the rock bottom of passenger figures the airport has very slowly started to increase its yield again and in 2019 the airport was purchased back from Peel Holdings and placed back into public ownership. This has allowed expansion to happen with the return of holidays flights and more scheduled flights which will hopefully bring the airport back towards how it used to be. However there is only several regular Airlines operating at Teesside, these are limited to Eastern Airways, Ryanair and KLM, plus additional charter carriers in summer months.

A superb website is ran by local spiotters and goes under the address of www.teessideairportmovements.co.uk it offers daily movements reports and is an invaluable website to sue when visiting the airfield for “heads up”

Written by Rob Smith. All spots checked November 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
05/23	2.291 m
Terminals	One handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required as you can easily shot through the mesh of the fence which is wide enough.
Car/Public Transport	Car is almost essential, poor quality transport links, especially to southside locations. Free parking for up to 2 hours when you spend minimum of £5.00 in the Skybar or Landside Cafe. Receipt must be shown for validation. The bus number 12 serves the airport six times per day – two before 9am and four from 3.25pm onwards – running from Hurworth through Darlington town centre, Morton Park and Middleton St George to the terminal building. Even if the airport has its own train station, only one train a week operates to the airport.
Restrooms	Located inside the airport terminal or at Morton Park retail hub several miles from the airport in nearby Darlington.
Drinks/Food	The airport site is very limited to food and drink options but with the lack of movements and a usual visit not lasting very long this shouldn’t be an issue, a local store in Middleton St George offers a small amount of products but the nearby Morton Park retail hub offers a wider range of variety with a chain pub and McDonalds available, as well as a Morrisons supermarket.
Hotels	Nothing at the airport. Accommodation can be found in Darlington.
Season	The UK weather system is often unpredictable therefore checking the forecast is advised, however all spots can be visited in winter or summer.
Runway Usage
05/23	Prevailing winds often mean that RWY 23 is in use but checking the ATIS or Metar beforehand is advised.

	Spot #1 – Terminal Coach Park – ramp, taxiway
WHERE	The spot is on the coach park on the eastern side of the terminal building along the perimeter fence.
WHAT	You can photograph stands 5 & 5R, the bravo taxiway provided that no aircraft are parked on the stands and any aircraft taxiing on the alpha taxiway. The fence is of a mesh type but pictures can be taken easily through it.
TIME	Only advisable to use this location in the summer months evenings.
MISC.	Free parking for up to 2 hours when you spend minimum of £5.00 in the Skybar or Landside Cafe. Receipt must be shown for validation.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-200mm for most aircraft, rotation shots of aircraft on the runway may require 300mm+

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	Spot #2 – Old Pick Up / Drop Off Car Park – ramp, taxiway
WHERE	The old drop off car park is on the western side of the terminal building where the official viewing area can be accessed.
WHAT	You can see aircraft coming off the bravo and charlie taxiways and aircraft parked on stands 1, 2 and 3. The fence is of a mesh type but pictures can be taken easily through it.
TIME	Only advisable to use this location in the summer months evenings.
MISC.	Free parking for up to 2 hours when you spend minimum of £2.50 in the Skybar or Landside Cafe. Receipt must be shown for validation.
FOCAL LENGTH	A wide angle lens may be required for airliners parked on stands 1 and 2, 70-200 for any others taxiing. Shots of aircraft rotating on the runway may require 300mm+

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	Spot #3 – Crash Gate / Field – 05 arrivals, taxiway/linie-up
WHERE	There is a crash gate on the north western part of the airfield, can be easily accessed from Middleton One Row or from Middleton St George. Park close to the bushes as you enter the entrance of the crash gate, under no circumstances block the entrance for emergency vehicles. Should you wish to enter the field for taxiway shots make sure that you do not walk through the crops and stick to the perimeter of the field.
WHAT	Landing shots on 05 and all aircraft using the delta taxiway for close up shots. The fence is of a mesh type but pictures can be taken easily through it otherwise you can easily use a ladder too.
TIME	Arrivals are shootable in the summer months from late afternoon till sunset. Taxiway possible all year round from afternoon until sunset.
MISC.	Nothing nearby so be prepared.
FOCAL LENGTH	Wide angle for taxi shots, 70-200 for head on shots and anything up to 300mm for landing shots.

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	Spot #4 – Saxon Church Field – 05 arrivals, 23 departures
WHERE	From Middelton One Row drive southwards on a small road and turn left (small sign for the curch). Follow the dirt track towards the old church which is shown clearly on the map. Parking here is widely available, however if a church service is ongoing please have respect. It should also be noted a graveyard is attached to the church. For the arrivals you can stay at the curch. A further point can be found in the corner of the field which takes you closer to the runway, if using this please walk around the edge of the field and be aware that it is often quite muddy.
WHAT	You can see all arrivals to runway 05 and runway 23 departures.
TIME	Great light in the summer mornings. Backlit from late noon all year round.
MISC.	Nothing nearby so be prepared.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 depending on aircraft type and location, for the field corner spot no more than 150mm should be needed for most aircraft. From the church 300mm is often required, especially for 23 departures.

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	Spot #5 – Business park access road – 23 arrivals
WHERE	Off the A67, carry on the road towards Yarm and you will come to a roundabout, the second exit from the roundabout will lead you onto this road. Please park responsibly on the road. There is no parking restrictions when this was written.
WHAT	All Runway 23 arrivals, the southside storage and any aircraft on the western apron can be seen from here.
TIME	In winter okay until late noon. In summer backlit in the early morning hours and from late noon.
MISC.	Be aware that construction traffic does use this road and once again, park responsibly.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-300mm should be enough for all airlines, 400mm for smaller.

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	Spot #6 – A67 – 23 arrivals
WHERE	Use the same direction as for #9 for parking and walk back along the grass verge from the parking.
WHAT	You can see all arrivals to runway 23, the runway can also be seen from this location.
TIME	Arrivals are perfect shootable in the summer months from late afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	The main road should then be monitored when walking back towards the spot to reach the north side of the approach. Please do not park in any gateways close to the spot and only use the lay by at #9.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-200mm should be ample for most aircraft as you can move closer to and from the approach as required.

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