Teesside Airport is proving that regional facilities can outpace congested major hubs with rapid cargo handling and freeport advantages. The airport delivers aircraft-to-door turnaround in just three hours while building infrastructure for temperature-sensitive and e-commerce freight.
For freight forwarders routing time-sensitive shipments through the UK, speed matters. Teesside’s fully integrated model cuts the delays that plague larger gateways.
Three-Hour Aircraft-to-Door Workflow
Teesside operates a 24-hour, fully in-house handling system with zero third-party involvement. The airport controls every stage from ramp operations to customs clearance, delivering predictable speed on every flight.
“We are basically a one-shop stop. We have no third-party handling or any involvement. We’re in control of our own destiny, from the aircraft when it lands to ramp handling to cargo handling.”
— Bob Matharoo, Head of Cargo at Teesside Airport
The airport can offload aircraft and move cargo out the back door within three hours of landing. Matharoo notes that some busy UK hubs cannot match that speed from aircraft to exit.
This matters for forwarders quoting tight delivery windows on e-commerce, perishables and high-value goods. Faster airport processing means faster client delivery and more competitive quotes.
UK’s First Airport Freeport Status
Teesside is the first UK airport to gain freeport designation. The status creates measurable cost advantages for cross-border freight.
Goods entering the freeport zone qualify for deferred VAT and duty payments. Forwarders can consolidate cargo from seaports, store it at Teesside, and defer tax until final dispatch to destination countries.
“You can bring your cargo from different types of areas, from the seaports into the airport, save on VAT and duty, and then send it out to different countries.”
— Bob Matharoo
This flexibility supports multi-leg routing strategies and improves cash flow for forwarders managing inventory through the UK. It also positions Teesside as a consolidation point for mixed-mode shipments combining sea and air.
Infrastructure Expansion for Specialised Cargo
Teesside is building a 60,000 sq ft temperature-controlled facility to handle pharmaceuticals, perishables and other climate-sensitive freight. The investment targets forwarders serving life sciences, fresh produce and high-value tech sectors.
The airport’s location in northern England places it within reach of major UK e-commerce hubs. Matharoo describes Teesside as “a heartbeat of the UK, very close to all the e-commerce hubs around the middle of the country.”
Key infrastructure developments include:
- 60,000 sq ft temperature-controlled warehouse for pharma and perishables
- Autonomous vehicle deployment planned within six months
- Hydro plant for sustainable fuel production to support green logistics
- Paperless workflow integration with customs clearance systems
The temperature-controlled facility will give forwarders a regional option for cold chain shipments without routing through London or Manchester congestion.
Sustainability Push: Autonomous Vehicles and Hydrofuel
Teesside is moving fast on sustainability. The airport plans to introduce driverless vehicles within six months and establish on-site hydro fuel production capabilities.
“Sustainability is a key indicator of where we need to be. We aim to have autonomous, driverless vehicles within six months and a hydro plant to provide fuel.”
— Bob Matharoo
Autonomous ground handling will cut labour costs and carbon emissions. On-site hydrofuel production reduces reliance on diesel and supports forwarders meeting corporate sustainability targets.
For forwarders under pressure to document green supply chains, routing through Teesside offers measurable environmental advantages over congested legacy hubs.
Digital Transformation and Paperless Operations
Teesside is working with IT partners to eliminate paper from cargo workflows. The goal is seamless integration between booking systems, customs procedures and milestone tracking.
Matharoo confirmed the airport is pursuing paperless operations linked directly to customs clearance. This reduces processing time and gives forwarders real-time visibility from aircraft landing to final delivery.
Digital integration matters for forwarders managing complex multi-leg routes. Automated data exchange speeds customs release and cuts manual entry errors that delay shipments.
Equal Priority Model for All Shipments
Unlike major hubs where slot priority varies by carrier size, Teesside applies equal handling priority to every shipment.
“Everyone is prioritised. There’s no first, second or third. We understand our processes and have a dedicated team to support the business going forward.”
— Bob Matharoo
This approach benefits SME forwarders competing with larger players. Smaller shipments receive the same three-hour turnaround as high-volume loads, levelling the playing field.
Regional Alternative to Congested Gateways
Teesside’s model challenges the assumption that only major hubs can handle significant cargo volumes efficiently. The airport targets forwarders frustrated by delays at London Heathrow, Manchester and other saturated gateways.
For time-sensitive and high-value freight, routing through a regional facility with guaranteed three-hour processing delivers competitive advantage. Forwarders can quote tighter delivery windows and win business from clients prioritising speed.
What This Means for Freight Forwarders
Teesside offers SME forwarders a credible alternative to congested UK hubs. The combination of speed, freeport status and specialised infrastructure creates routing options that improve margins and service levels.
Key advantages for forwarders include:
- Predictable three-hour turnaround times for tighter client delivery commitments
- Deferred VAT and duty through freeport status improving cash flow
- Temperature-controlled capacity for pharma and perishables without hub congestion
- Sustainability credentials for clients tracking supply chain carbon footprints
- Equal priority handling regardless of shipment size or carrier
As digital integration advances and the temperature-controlled facility opens, Teesside will become a stronger option for forwarders routing complex, time-sensitive cargo through the UK.
Regional airports with dedicated cargo infrastructure and freeport advantages are shifting capacity away from legacy hubs. Forwarders who map these options into quoting workflows gain speed and cost advantages that translate directly to won business.
