The award-winning small UK airport named the best in the country

THE UK's best airports have been named at the country's biggest travel awards ceremony.

Passengers have picked Teesside International Airport as their favourite small UK airport for leisure travel at the 2023 British Travel Awards.

The prizes are decided by the UK's largest customer survey relating to leisure travel.

It marks the end of a positive year for the airport, which has seen the highest number of passengers pass through its terminal for 11 years.

The transport hub also became the first in the UK to scrap the 100ml liquid limit in security earlier this year.

Teesside was the first to completely install new state-of-the-art scanners, meaning passengers no longer have to take laptops out of their bags, and can carry two litres of liquid in their hand luggage.

Tees mayor Ben Houchen told : “What a way to cap off the year.

"This will yet again put our region on the map, with Teesside Airport front-and-centre as we prove that we can do anything we set our minds to.”

Phil Forster, Teesside International Airport managing director, added: “I’d like to thank all of our valued passengers who took the time to give us their backing.

“We want our airport to be a success for everyone – and this year shows we’re really moving in the right direction.”

Ryanair and Tui are among airlines offering flights from the airport to destinations including Faro in Portugal, Majorca in Spain and Dalaman in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Balkan Holidays also operates services from Teesside to Bourgas in Bulgaria during the summer months, while KLM has three daily flights to Amsterdam.

Alongside Teesside, Heathrow Airport was named the best large airport in the country and East Midlands was the pick of the medium sized hubs.

London Stansted and Exeter came second and third respectively in the list of small UK airports at this year's awards.

Other airport-related awards were handed out, including the best airport retailer for consumer goods, with Boots beating World Duty Free and WH Smith to top spot.

Meanwhile, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways were the top three long-haul airlines, while EasyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair were named the best three budget airlines.

Wetherspoons was named the best airport retailer for food and beverages, beating second place Pret a Manger and third place Costa Coffee.

Teesside Airport isn't the only one in the north east to have picked up an award recently, with Newcastle Airport bagging Airport of the Year in the under 5 million passengers category at Routes World Conference in Turkey.

It was the only UK airport to be nominated across any of the categories.

Director of Aviation Development Leon McQuaid said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious Routes World award.

"A big thank you to all of our airline partners for nominating us, which is great recognition for all of our teams’ dedication and hard work to deliver for our airlines.”

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