Christmas cheer comes early to Teesside as sold-out flights jetting off to Lapland

Fantastic winter trips to meet Santa in the snow are jetting off from Teesside this week.

This morning saw a packed flight for a stunning a day trip to Pajala, in Swedish Lapland, take off with Newmarket Holidays.

The trip included return flights including meals, a reindeer sleigh ride, a meeting with Santa plus a gift, husky and snowmobile experiences, lunch and a loan of thermal suits and boots.

Meanwhile, a second fully booked flight to Enontekio Airport, Finland, is due to depart on Saturday (14 December) with Transun.

Those on board will get to enjoy Lapland activities such as husky sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh riding, and much more.

It comes as bookings are still open for Christmas 2025 with both Transun and Newmarket.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our airport has had a fantastic summer with the best passenger figures for 15 years.

“But we now have options all year round – and these annual festive trips to snowy Lapland are always extremely popular.

“Transun and Newmarket Holidays have been loyal supporters and operators for many years and it’s great to see them offer the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool exactly what they want from their local airport.

“Be it winter sun in Alicante, city breaks and worldwide connections through Amsterdam, or snowy charters to Scandinavia, there’s plenty to enjoy from Teesside and I’d urge people to choose us.”

Dino Toouli, Head of Trade Sales at Transun, said: “We are delighted to see our Santa Daybreaks selling out again from Teesside Airport, which shows the continued popularity of our festive offerings. The growing demand for these magical experiences demonstrates how well they resonate with families looking to make special memories this holiday season.

“Our Santa Daybreaks offer a unique opportunity to meet Santa in his log cabin, whilst experiencing reindeer sleigh rides, husky rides, and snowmobile rides – all within a day.”

Hayley Morris, Head of Trade Sales at Newmarket Holidays, added: “We are delighted to bring the magic of Lapland to families flying from Teesside this festive season.

“These unforgettable trips offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the enchantment of meeting Santa, reindeer sleigh rides, and the breathtaking snowy landscapes of Swedish Lapland. It’s a pleasure to partner with Teesside Airport to make these special moments possible for our customers.”

To see all destinations served by Teesside Airport, go to: Destinations – direct from Teesside Airport