Alfor to build £50m freighter conversion campus at Teesside

Alfor Aviation is set to develop a major aircraft conversion campus at Teesside International Airport, following the signing of a 50-year agreement that will bring a £50 million investment to the region.

The project will create around 250 permanent high-skilled jobs and include purpose-built aircraft conversion facilities, new hangars, engineering workshops and warehousing.

Alfor Aviation representatives Mahmut Metin Eren, Hazal Avci, Yildirim Beyazit Kilincarslan and Omer Mafa visited the site on 12 August for further discussions with Teesside Airport leaders on the development of the campus.

Once fully operational, the facility is expected to have the capacity to convert up to 24 passenger aircraft into freighters annually. Operations are scheduled to begin by the end of 2027, strengthening Teesside’s position in the growing aircraft conversion and air cargo sector.

Alfor is also planning to relocate its global headquarters to Teesside, further strengthening the airport’s position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing aviation hubs.

Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside International Airport, said, “It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Mafa and Alfor leaders to Teesside to progress with their landmark vision. We’ve had huge projects and backing to the Airport Business Park in recent years through Willis Aviation, our FedEx cargo agreement, Airbourne Colours and Draken expanding its presence at Teesside.”

Teesside Airport welcomed Alfor Aviation’s investment, saying its aircraft conversion technology will support the airport’s ambitions to expand its air freight capabilities. Once completed, the campus will bring together global aviation companies involved in aircraft repair, maintenance, overhaul, painting and conversion.

The airport highlighted its available land, Freeport status, strong road, rail and sea connectivity, and skilled workforce as key advantages in developing a comprehensive aviation services hub for operators.

The new conversion centre at Teesside will substantially increase Alfor’s production capacity, enabling the company to meet rising global demand for passenger-to-freighter conversions, driven by the rapid growth of e-commerce, express freight and integrated logistics networks.

Omer Mafa, Director of Alfor Aviation, said, “We examined numerous locations across Europe for our long-term home, but nowhere matched Teesside’s offer. “A key factor in our decision was Teesside Freeport. As the UK’s largest free trade zone, it provides exactly the kind of internationally competitive environment innovative aerospace businesses need.”

Meanwhile, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the investment demonstrates Teesside Airport’s role in driving regional growth, attracting international businesses and creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs.

He added that bringing the airport back into public ownership was aimed at making it a catalyst for jobs, investment and long-term economic growth, with the strategy now delivering results as major international companies establish operations in Teesside.