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ClimateNE & Climate Change Schools Project support the move to a low-carbon, resilient economy and help businesses avoid risk and realise commercial opportunities. Posts by Jen Atkinson, Krista McKinzey and Harriet Thew » The sharp slump in passenger numbers at Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) has highlighted in bold the monumental challenge facing Britain's aviation industry.
On Friday it emerged that just 300,000 had passed through the gates last year - less than half of the number in 2008.
DTVA's 3m passengers-a-year target now looks hopelessly out of reach in an industry buffeted by a gale-force wind of soaring taxes and falling demand.
Owner Peel Airports says it has given up on that target but not on DTVA, the worst performer in the privately owned property giant's group of three.
If passenger numbers continue to fall, however, Peel's management may begin to question the wisdom of hanging on to an operation that could end up being a significant burden on its balance sheet.
DTVA, of course, is not the only one to suffer in a wretched recession that has clipped the wings of pretty much every regional airport.
Cash-strapped consumers have reigned in their discretionary spend, forcing passenger numbers to take a nosedive.
Revenue-starved aviation chiefs are struggling to cope with higher taxes and landing charges which, they claim, are pricing regional airports out of key hubs such as Heathrow.
At the same time these bosses are under pressure to increase investment in security measures in the wake of the failed Christmas Day airliner bomb plot.
Against this backdrop, it could be some time before they're flying again.
DTVA's strategy of providing links to international hubs such as Amsterdam and London appears sound but competition is fierce.
Although there have been notable wins - the Eastern Airways service to Southampton and the recently announced Thomson Airways services among them - the lack of a service into London remains a top priority for DTVA.
A route into Gatwick or Heathrow, for example, would benefit hundreds of Teesside businesses that currently have to fly to the capital via Newcastle.
There is a strong argument for two North-east airports but DTVA will need to prove to its owner that it can generate sufficient revenues.
Peel won't wait forever for its assets to turn potential into performance.
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