Interesting comment from the Mayor here - don't think I've seen this stated before? Fair play in supporting local businesses, but I thought the business case for using taxpayers money to take the airport into public ownership was to improve the region connections with the world so as to support business, not make it easier for locals to export money out of the region?
“As part of our 10 Year Rescue Plan, our priority to secure new flights to holiday destinations, but, in the meantime, we’re also working flat-out to ensure local companies come first for new contracts.
Durham Tees Valley Airport commits to nearby firms over UK companies