Newcastle International Airport’s daily Emirates service to Dubai has enjoyed a record month.
The route which was hailed as a “game-changer” for the North East upon its arrival in 2007, carried 22,745 passengers in August from Newcastle to its Dubai hub.
The Emirates service also carries the vast majority of exports flown out of Newcastle Airport, the value of which now stands at £310m a year.
Before the airline arrived in the region, flown exports amounted to less than £20m a year.
Nick Jones, interim chief executive at Newcastle International Airport, said: “The key to the success of Emirates is that it connects the North East to Dubai, and then via Dubai to over 150 destinations.
“The airline takes great pride in the role it plays in the region and this service has highlighted the impact a single long-haul scheduled service can have.
“Next year we will celebrate ten years of Emirates flying out of Newcastle and look forward to continuing our fantastic relationship well into the future.”
Laurie Berryman, Emirates vice president, UK added: “Newcastle International Airport has become an important gateway for both business and leisure travellers in the North East, and plays an important part in the growth of the local economy.
“Like the airport, August was a very strong month for our Newcastle operation, recording a five percent annual growth. We look forward to continuing our very successful relationship long in the future.”