AN airline has softened the blow of losing popular links to two European cities by adding a new flight to the Mediterranean.

Budget airline easyJet will begin operating flights between Newcastle and Malta from May 22, it emerged last night.

The news came after the company dropped flights between Newcastle and Prague, in the Czech Republic, and Krakow, in Poland, this January.

Tens of thousands of passengers have used the Prague service since it was introduced in 2003.

The loss of routes comes amid a decline in business at Newcastle Airport, which saw passenger numbers fall from 5.6 million in 2007 to five million last year.

Union leaders say the mood among the 750 workers at the airport is apprehensive as airlines seek to cut costs.

Graham Eastwood, the regional industrial organiser for Unite, said: “Obviously easyJet never consults with the union or its workforce, but we fear that the withdrawal of the Prague route is based on the lack of demand.

“Because of the recession and the effects on the tourist industry, there is a lot of apprehension and insecurity among staff at Newcastle Airport.”

An easyJet spokesman said the plane used for the Prague flights had merely been switched to the recently launched Malta route, and no other routes or jobs were under threat.

He said: “The Prague route has ceased operating due to demand. Not enough customers wanted to fly on that route.”

North-East Conservative Euro MP Martin Callanan, who has used the Prague service in the past, said: “This is very disappointing news.”

He added: “I would ideally like to see services expanding from Newcastle, not contracting.”