Lots of reasons for its sad demise but I think the three main reasons are those listed below . The loss of the BMI LHR flight was the biggest loss and has led to a gradual downward spiral of apathy around the airport which really should not have been allowed to happen . The south side air cargo centre never looked like taking off and so it has proved and then the farcical re-branding , at BMI’s insistance , to DTVA which the locals have hated ever since its inception and everyone , but everyone still refers to it as Teesside Airport ! These links are from the website of the regional morning paper which has supported the airport throughout and if you use its search facility you come across hundreds of similar tales of woe over recent years .

Loss of the LHR shuttle ;
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4242421.Dismay_over_final_Heathrow_flights/

Change of name ;
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2004/09/21/The+North+East+Archive/6977804.Airport_s_last_flight_and_new_dawn/

Air cargo centre ;
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2002/04/16/The+North+East+Archive/7077539.Airport_scheme_brought_down/

As for the future , well I can’t really see one at the moment with the poor economic conditions just compounding things and making matters worse . It’s all very , very sad .