Flybe is to start new UK domestic routes from Newcastle International to both London Heathrow and Belfast City airports.
The two routes will both start from 7 November with seven services per week to Belfast and flights to Heathrow operating from Monday to Friday.
Birmingham-based Flybe, which resumed flights earlier this year, already flies from Manchester and Glasgow, and the addition of Newcastle expands its presence in the north of the UK.
Dave Pflieger, Flybe’s CEO said: “There is a clear need for competition on the London-Newcastle route, as this is a route that has strong demand from business customers.”
Newcastle has been further boosted by Ryanair’s new twice-weekly service to Barcelona, which started on 1 November. The budget carrier opened a new base at the airport earlier this year.
Emirates is also stepping up its operations from Newcastle this winter, with flights to Dubai set to increase from the current five per week to a daily departure from 1 December.
Nick Jones, Newcastle International’s CEO, said: “Emirates’ Dubai service has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months. We are all pleased that demand for the iconic eastbound service has continued to grow resulting in the return of their pre-pandemic daily schedule.”