Teesside International Airport and Sunderland AFC have teamed up for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, with an agreement that aims to boost each other’s promotion prospects.
The collaboration kicked off last weekend [on Saturday 11 December], as the airport sponsored the Lads’ superb win over Plymouth Argyle and extended their unbeaten league run to six games.
SAFC supporters will continue to see a major airport marketing push at the Stadium of Light throughout the festive period, with LED, jumbo screen, perimeter and online adverts promoting that ‘Wearside, fly Teesside’.
The campaign highlights that local people living in Sunderland can travel to the airport in less time than it takes from kick-off to the half-time whistle and fly to an ever-growing number of domestic and summer sun destinations.
Europe’s No.1 airline, Ryanair, has flights on sale to Alicante, Corfu, Faro and Majorca, while the UK’s biggest holiday firm, TUI, is introducing flights to Antalya in Turkey and Majorca in 2022.
The airport’s new refurbished terminal building will house adverts promoting SAFC, with Lee Johnson’s side continuing to use the airport’s Loganair flights to travel to select long-distance away fixtures.
Loganair’s services include Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Newquay, Southampton and London Heathrow. The Heathrow link, alongside KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ connection to Amsterdam Schiphol, means local people can go worldwide from Teesside to hundreds of locations.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’m delighted by this agreement as we look to grow our fanbase across the wider North East. Just as the Mackems pack out the Stadium of Light, we’re just as enthusiastic shouting about our superb recently refurbished airport.
“This deal shows there’s another fantastic airport right on their doorstep, that they might not have expected or considered. Our airport is on the up, and I hope Sunderland will soon be too.
“I urge all supporters and their families to check out the airport’s new website and see the growing number of flights that are on sale now, both for some winter or summer sun and the worldwide connectivity on offer via Heathrow or Amsterdam. I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.”
SAFC’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve Davison, added: “We are delighted to be working alongside Teesside International Airport for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
Throughout the past 12 months, they have supported our pre-match preparations and we have established a strong connection with both Teesside International Airport and Loganair. This agreement signals the next step in that relationship and we look forward to building upon it further to benefit both organisations and our supporters.”
For a full list of destinations served by Teesside International Airport, visit www.teessideinternational.com.