Why Easyjet cancelled international flights from Newcastle in the first place

The budget airline will resume holidaymaker flights from Newcastle to Palma de Mallorca for five months from May. 

Read more: Easyjet confirms Newcastle to Palma flights will return in 2022

With up to five flights per week, the airline today said it was "committed" to providing "brilliant" holidays at "unbeatable" prices.

But why were the international flights cancelled in the first place - and are more international Easyjet destinations set to make a return?

An Easyjet aircraft arriving into Newcastle Airport Picture: JAMIE HALL/NORTHERN ECHO

The airline first announced the cancellation of all international flights from the North East back in August last year as it confirmed its Newcastle Airport base would close.

Receiving a huge amount of backlash from industry officials and passengers, the airline also confirmed the closure of two other bases at Stansted and Southend.

Read more: Easyjet has 'no plans' for permanent international flights from Newcastle

The airline blamed the impact of the Covid pandemic on the travel industry for the mass closures, which resulted in around 150 North East jobs reportedly axed.

The airline said that as a result of the closure, all but two domestic routes - Belfast and Bristol - would remain in operation.

Could more flights return?

Earlier this year, the airline ruled out a return of international flights to Newcastle Airport on a permanent basis.

The Northern Echo had quizzed the airline on its plan to resume some flights following the temporary resumption of its Newcastle to Faro route.

Easyjet suggested there had been no plans to increase any of its existing routes, both domestically and internationally on a permanent basis.

At the time, it said: “We continuously monitor our network for any opportunities however we don’t currently have any further additional flying planned from Newcastle.

"Currently all of our flying operates from other bases across the UK and Europe with the Faro flight operating from Faro.”

It is understood that today’s announcement follows on from Easyjet's decision not to permanently resume its international flights at Newcastle Airport.

What Easyjet has said

Ali Gayward, Easyjet’s UK Country Manager, said: “We are delighted to announce more new routes from the UK for next summer and provide our customers with an even wider range of fantastic beach and city destinations to enjoy. 

"We remain committed to strengthening our unrivalled short-haul network and providing more affordable and easy connections to our customers across the UK, by offering low fares and more choice when they travel.”

Paul Bixby, Easyjet’s holidays Commercial Director, said: “After recent events we all need a holiday to look forward to, so we we’re pleased that even more of the UK can now enjoy easyJet holidays with the launch of new holidays to some of our favourite destinations.

“We’re committed to providing brilliant holiday experiences at unbeatable prices, with industry-leading flexibility, so we’re really excited to take our customers who book one of our new holiday routes on their well-deserved beach breaks in 2022.”

The airline announced the return of the Newcastle to Palma flights along with several other international routes from UK airports including Southend.

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