Ryanair has announced a new base in Newcastle for Summer 2022.

It will have two aircraft, with 63 departing flights per week and 19 routes in total, with 12 new connections across Europe including Paphos, Milan and Ibiza.

The £143million investment will bring 60 direct jobs and 400 indirect jobs

Nick Jones, Chief Executive at Newcastle International Airport said: "The announcement from Ryanair to base two aircraft at Newcastle International Airport for summer 2022 is very significant news for both the Airport and the region.

"Ryanair’s investment is a sign of growing confidence and will provide the North East public with a great selection of new destinations and extra weekly frequencies, providing more options for leisure and business travel. This will create new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineering alongside support services, and will generate economic value for the wider area.

"These new routes, alongside extra capacity on current services to destinations, provides our customers with the choice not only on where to travel but also on the length of time."

Ryanair CEO, Eddie Wilson said: “We have seen massive demand for flights from Newcastle as customers flock to the beaches of Spain and Portugal and now customers will have a much wider choice next summer."