Airport gears up for Black Cats’ European return

A North East airport has secured 13 additional direct flights as thousands of football supporters prepare to travel across Europe.

Newcastle International Airport expects to welcome around 5000 Sunderland AFC fans as the club embarks on its first European campaign in 53 years.

The Black Cats began their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light, with away fixtures in Portugal, Poland, Italy and Belgium to follow.

Sunderland’s first away match will be against Torreense on October 15 in Leiria, with supporters able to fly directly from Newcastle to Lisbon with easyJet or Porto with Jet2.com.

A direct charter flight is available through WorldChoice Sports for the October 22 fixture against Lech Poznan, while Ryanair operates services to Gdansk and Wroclaw.

Sunderland will then travel to face seven-time European champions AC Milan at the iconic San Siro on December 10.

Supporters can reach Milan through scheduled easyJet and Ryanair services, with additional charter flights being offered by sports tour operators.

For the January 21 match against Anderlecht, direct services are available to Brussels with easyJet and Brussels Charleroi with Ryanair.

Fans can also use Newcastle Airport’s existing connections through Heathrow, Amsterdam and Paris to reach Sunderland’s European destinations.

Chris Ion, head of aviation development at Newcastle Airport, said: “Sunderland’s return to Europe for the first time since 1973 is an incredibly exciting moment for the club, its supporters and us here at Newcastle Airport. 

“We are proud to have worked with our airline partners and trusted ATOL-protected tour operators to secure 13 additional flights alongside our existing scheduled services, helping thousands of fans to follow the team across Europe. 

“We are also looking forward to welcoming visiting supporters to the North East, giving them the opportunity to experience everything the region has to offer while enjoying what promises to be some unforgettable European nights at the Stadium of Light.”

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