As well as this extra service the airline will improve its current timetable which will make connecting to more destinations via it’s own hub, Amsterdam Schipol airport even better.

Henri Hourcade, general manager AIR FRANCE KLM UK and Ireland, said: “Our new summer schedule is great news for Newcastle International Airport and for KLM and is a tangible symbol of the strength of our operations out of Newcastle.”

He added that both business and leisure travellers will be able to experience faster connectivity with the carrier’s intercontinental route network.

Dont forget if you are going away this Christmas check our Newcastle Airport Parking rates.

The coalition has also suggested replacing Air Passenger Duty APD with a per plane tax, despite warnings that will prove highly damaging.

The airport’s planning and corporate affairs director, Graeme Mason, has said: “We are confident that the UK Government would veto any move to tax aviation at an EU level.

“A further level of taxation would be unacceptable and particularly damaging to regional air services. We believe that the EU Commission’s Trading Scheme is the most appropriate way to manage the carbon impact of aviation.

“Our view is that national taxes such as Air Passenger Duty, or the proposed per plane tax, should be phased out once the ETS comes in.”

UK Treasury Minister Lord Sassoon has said the British Government is opposed to direct taxes financing the EU budget.

“The UK believes that taxation is a matter for member states to determine at a national level and would have a veto over any plans for such taxes.”

British Airways boss, Willie Walsh has also had a meeting with Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and warned that a new “per plane” tax would hit regional connectivity.

Bruno Matheu, Air France chief commercial officer said: “Air France is glad to announce a partnership with the U.K.’s number one domestic airline. Over the past few years, we have watched Flybe’s growth and development with great interest and have been impressed by its performance in becoming a respected leader within the sector.”

With these new routes added Jet2 will be the biggest international carrier at Newcastle airport.Jet2 plan to fly from Newcastle to Faro (which serves the Algarve in Portugal), Alicante (for Costa Blanca and Benidorm), plus stag do favourites Krakow and Prague.

Prague will be the first schedule to start at the beginning of November 2010 and then Krakow at the end of March followed by Alicante and Faro during April 2011.

So for those that want European fun on their stag do or for those Europeans that want to experience the delights of Newcastle this is great news!

So if you are lucky enough to be going to one of these new destinations and need some airport parking check out our Newcastle Airport Parking page.

Jet2.com have unveiled a special aircraft which will carry the 75th anniversary logo on its fuselage. The aircraft is a special edition 757 and will fly passengers across Europe spreading the word. As well as this Jet2.com boss, Phillip Meeson will supply his own vintage aircraft, a DH Rapide, to take part in the celebrations.

Speaking about the occasion, Philip said: “This is a magnificent landmark in the airport’s history and we are delighted to be playing a significant role in the celebrations. The commemorative 757 really does look spectacular and I look forward to people from the North East taking advantage of our friendly low fares, great flight times and fantastic range of destinations on board soon!”

Dave Laws, Newcastle Airport chief executive, added: “The commemorative 757 looks excellent and is a really fitting addition to our anniversary celebrations. The support from Jet2.com has been fantastic over the past 12 months and the increase in services from the base and brand new destinations have ensured we can offer people in and around the region even more choice, in what is a landmark year for us.”

The three staff at Newcastle Airport were caught drink-driving and reported to the Civil Aviation Authority. Another air traffic controller quit after being caught over the limit on the way to work.

The CAA does have the power to dismiss staff but this didn’t happen in these cases. The CAA instead put these employees through a Substance Misuse Clinic for assessment and determined that these were one off offences and there were no issues with alcoholic addiction.

Helen Hughes, who is environmental adviser at Newcastle International, said: “We’re continuously looking into new ways to improve our recycling procedures and are delighted with the introduction of the new on-the-go recycle units, we’re confident they will be a success.

“The terminal is a vast public space which millions of passengers travel through each year; we need to ensure that people find it as easy as possible to recycle before they jet off. Through the work with Coca-Cola and Recoup, we hope to see many new innovation initiatives to follow in the future which will benefit the environment.”

A spokesperson from WRAP said: “WRAP supports investment in on the go recycling. We want to make it easier for people to recycle, wherever they are. Newcastle International should be congratulated for taking the lead on this important agenda.”

Newcastle Airport pride themselves on being environmentally friendly with their rubbish and recycle as much waste as possible including litter collected in the terminal building and the plastic bottles confiscated during security searches. Recycling rates are increasing year on year and Newcastle Airport’s administration block is also a bin-free environment, with all rubbish collected through a central recycling system located in the corridors.

Following the announcement by National Air Traffic Services (NATS) regarding the phased reopening of UK airspace, we can confirm that Newcastle International was re-opened for flights at 0700 (local time) Tuesday 20th April.

There will not be an immediate return to a full flying programme as aircraft and crews maybe out of position and restrictions may exist in others areas.

Our advice for passengers with flights from Newcastle is still to contact their airline or to check our website for flight information BEFORE travelling to the Airport.

We have been notified of some planned services today. This list will change (potential additions and deletions) but at present the following flights are expected to operate.

Eastern Airways

Services to Aberdeen at 1020,1755 and 2035.

Service from Aberdeen arriving at 0920,1720 and 2030.

Easyjet

Easyjet may be able to operate a very limited service starting from late afternoon onwards. More information will be available on their website later.

All passengers will be required to check in at the Airport. Online check in will not be possible. If your flight is operating please arrive early at the airport.

Manx2

Service to Isle of Man at 1050

The Met Office and the airlines continue to monitor the changing situation very closely and update plans once they recieve any new information.