The 21,000 square-foot hangar has cutting edge screening technology, and handling, freight forwarding, customs clearance, and storage services.
It can be used for specialised charter flights for both road and airfreight services.
The airport has secured Regulated Agent status from the Civil Aviation Authority, allowing it to handle secure cargo at its site.
With the appointment of a Head of Cargo along with security staff, the facility is creating jobs and is expected to create 30 jobs when it is fully up and running.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, says, “We’ve always said our airport needs to be more than just flights to Alicante to succeed – as important as they are – and now this is fast becoming a reality.
“Hot on the heels of Willis’ £25 million investment in an aircraft maintenance facility, we’re now launching another key asset, our cargo handling facility.
“With the right building blocks in place generating new opportunities, we can give the people the flights they are crying out for while making sure the airport can stand on its own two feet for decades to come.”
Teesside Airport is turning its attention to land and property assets, including its £200m Southside Business Park development to diversify its revenue stream and secure the airport’s financial future.
The cargo facility will target the 71,000 businesses within an hour’s drive of the airport and those further afield.