EMIRATES Airline have launched a new era of air travel in the North-East after touching down for the first time this afternoon at Newcastle International Airport.

The new route between Dubai and Newcastle, the airline's sixth UK gateway and its 22nd destination in Europe, is the first ever long haul scheduled flight out of Newcastle.

Flight EK 035, which arrives daily from Dubai at 1210, received a special welcome when water cannons were deployed at Newcastle International Airport to greet the taxiing Airbus A330-200.

The presence of Emirates, the award-winning Dubai-based carrier, is expected to give a major boost to travel and trade in the region and establishes Newcastle on the long haul map of the world.

Keith Longstaff, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe said: "We are very pleased to launch our Newcastle-Dubai route and now passengers from the North-East can benefit from Emirates' fast expanding international network.

"Travellers can also avoid unpopular London connections and no longer need to drive three hours to our nearest departure points at Glasgow or Manchester."

Mr Longstaff, who spoke at a press conference after the arrival of the first flight from Dubai, added: "Already, the route is receiving tremendous support and records have been broken with pre-launch sales.

"Never before in the UK has Emirates sold out so quickly on the first two flights of a new service and thousands are already booked from Newcastle to far flung places throughout the Emirates network."

Ticket sales for September alone show Emirates' passengers out of Newcastle heading to no less than 26 different destinations through Dubai, including Sydney, Beijing, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Auckland, Islamabad, Delhi and Johannesburg.

On the freight side, Emirates SkyCargo will offer 13 tonnes of cargo capacity in each direction.

Consignments including machinery and car parts produced by companies throughout the North-East are expected to feature amongst exports, with imports set to include consumer goods spanning electronics, clothes and perishables.

David Laws, Newcastle International Airport's Chief Operating Officer, said: "The arrival of Emirates to Newcastle International is, without question, the most significant new route development in the airport's 72 year history. This achievement is a major coup not just for the airport, but for North-East England as a whole. Dubai's importance as a major global hub, trading city and tourist destination continues to grow, and the Emirates service also provides crucial onward connections to dozens of major hub airports across the world."

Mr Laws added: This route opens up destinations such as South-East Asia, Australasia, Africa, and the Far East to the region's business community, putting them within easier reach of Newcastle than ever before. And of course the route also provides easier access to North-East England for inbound visitors from across the globe."

Chairman of development agency One NorthEast, Margaret Fay, said the Dubai route is a real boost for regional trade, export and connectivity.

"It gives us better access to the Middle East, India, Southern Africa, Asia and Australasia. Recent figures tell us that the Asia/Oceanic market alone is worth about £825m in exports from the region.

"One NorthEast's aim is to exploit the route to increase visitors, improve trade connections and boost export. We will also continue working with the airport to extend the reach of our Passionate People, Passionate Places.' campaign. This will widen awareness of what the North-East has to offer and boost tourism with more inbound visitors."

Ms Fay added: "Wider connectivity is a crucial element in stimulating business growth on a global playing field. If North-East England is to boost its economy and raise its profile in international markets, we need to open up more routes like this."

In July, the UK Civil Aviation Authority confirmed Emirates' position as the UK's biggest carrier of long haul travellers from the regions, and Newcastle is expected to reinforce that status.

Starting on September 1st, Emirates flight EK036 will depart Newcastle International Airport each day at 1340, arriving into Dubai International Airport at 0005 the following day. The inbound flight, EK035, is scheduled to depart Dubai at 0720 every day, arriving in Newcastle at 1210. (All times are local).

The service will be operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with 27 Business Class and 251 Economy Class seats. Emirates SkyCargo will offer 13 tonnes of cargo capacity in each direction.

For information and reservations, contact a travel agent, call 0844 800 2777 or visit www.emirates.com/uk