Construction work on a key expansion of Teesside International Airport is to start after plans for a major new hangar were approved.
The 27,000sq ft structure is the first of two new hangars which will provide a key development to attract further investment and return the airport to profit.
Darlington Borough Council has now granted planning approval for both hangars, subject to conditions.
Barnard Castle-based S&A Fabrications will begin work on the giant hangar on the northside of the airport after securing the contract for the project earlier this year. Work is expected to take around six to eight months.
The hangar will be 44 metres wide and 57 metres long and reach up to 16.5 metres at its highest point. When completed it will provide additional space for aircraft storage and maintenance.
More than 230 tonnes of steel will be used in its construction and the development will also include car parking and a concrete apron to access the hangar from the taxiway.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It fantastic to be moving this project forward at such speed and delivering on our aim of providing a great new location for firms to grow.