Chris Petty, managing director of Cornerstone Business Solutions, was one of more than 600 local business people representing thousands of Tees workers who convinced the region’s council leaders to back Ben Houchen’s airport plan.
He said: “I think the vote is fantastic news. I think it’s what everybody had been waiting for and had wanted in the area.
“It was a case of do we want a new airport or do we just get rid and have a new housing estate?
“We don’t need a new housing estate, we have already got the biggest one in Europe in Ingleby Barwick, so we don’t need another one on our doorstep. We can all move forward now. Common sense has prevailed, and it links up with what is going on with the old SSI site.
“With the investment and large companies coming to the area, we need that airport. It’s a good day for Teesside.”
Petty also owns Skylive Events, which ran air shows at Durham Tees Valley Airport before the event was scrapped after only two years.
“Hopefully there might be another air show on the cards now,” he added.