easyJet announces passenger numbers growth from Newcastle Airport

easyJet, Newcastle’s largest airline, is set to experience 6% of growth in passenger numbers this financial year, increasing the number of seats it flies to over 1.1 million.

More than one million passengers flew with easyJet to and from Newcastle during 2016 and, since it began its operations in Newcastle in 2001, over 17.5 million passengers have flown with the airline.

The airline offers 17 routes from Newcastle, and added two new routes to Berlin and Gran Canaria at the end of 2016. These latest routes operate to Gran Canaria every Tuesday during the winter months and to Berlin every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday all-year round.

easyJet’s most popular routes from Newcastle are to Belfast in the UK and Alicante in Spain. Due to demand, the airline has also increased its flights by 13% this winter.

Ali Gayward, commercial manager for easyJet, commented: “As Newcastle’s largest airline, carrying more than one million passengers annually, customers in the North East have an unrivalled network of 17 routes at their doorstep.

“We remain committed to growing our presence in Newcastle and easyJet supports Newcastle tourism and business travel by ensuring it provides easy and affordable direct air links to many European destinations.”

John Irving, business development director for Newcastle International Airport, added: “We enjoy a fantastic working relationship with easyJet, our biggest airline, and are delighted to see passenger numbers continue to grow.

“The airline serves a mix of business and leisure destinations with 17 routes now available from Newcastle. The announcement of an increase in flights by 13% this winter is a further clear indication of easyJet’s commitment to the airport and the North East.

“We look forward to continuing our work and to explore future options to ensure the region remains well connected.”

easyJet operates up to 150 flights in and out of Newcastle per week, and flies over one million passengers to 17 airports in nine countries.