A vital licence to allow Teesside Airport to handle food and flowers has been officially granted – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Confirmation of the airport becoming the UK’s newest Border Control Point (BCP) was received last week – allowing Teesside’s new freight facility to handle flowers, fruit, and vegetables.

It places Teesside as one of the few BCPs to handle these goods in England – allowing both large and small local businesses to reap import benefits while also offering a big boost to the airport’s freight vision.

The news comes just in time for Valentine’s Day with the airport now in talks with several world-leading importers and airlines.

The airport threw open the doors of its £2.5million freight facility last year – with a purpose-built 21,000sq ft hangar providing cutting edge security screening technology, as well as handling, freight-forwarding, customs clearage, and storage.

More than 94% of England, Scotland and Wales can be covered in under six hours from the airport.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is a terrific gift for our airport with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. As one of the few Border Control Points in the country, we are now in a unique place to become a freight centre for businesses across the North.

“We’ve secured this vital designation in quick time – and this will allow the airport to access fruit, veg and flower markets across the North of England and beyond.

“The equipment and inspection cabins are in place for us to cope with demand – so we’re ready. This pass will also allowing lifeline local businesses another way of getting hold of produce.

“Our place at the heart of the UK means we’re perfectly placed to supercharge our freight ambitions. We’ve already managed to turn around a number of crucial consignments in a very short space of time.

“And we have more than 70,000 companies within an hour of the airport which means the opportunity for growth is huge.

“With our Freeport and £200million Business Park, I’m proud we’re building beyond just flights – and working to get our vital businesses in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool backing us.”

The designation comes after Walter Jones was recently appointed Head of Cargo at the airport – bringing with him 25 years of experience.