A HOLIDAY company has increased its flights out of a North-East airport.

Thomson Airways new winter programme for flights from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) between November 2010 and April 2011 includes for the first time the popular Red Sea destination of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The schedule will also see the launch of a service to Tenerife, as well as the return of flights to Alicante.

The announcement comes as the airport publishes the first image of its proposed new lounge for holidaymakers.

The twin terminal scheme will see a new premium area for scheduled services and business travellers and another area for holiday charter and low cost services.

DTVA spokeswoman Emma Ormerod said the announcement was a welcome demonstration of the confidence of one of the country's major operators in the airport.

She added: "The news is also an endorsement for the new-look twin terminal scheme announced by the airport just last week.

"Passengers using all these services will have the benefit of using the new leisure area, including improved check-in and lounge facilities, which is being introduced over coming months."

Neil Morris, planning director for Thomson and First Choice, said: "We are delighted to be operating two additional routes from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Sharm el-Sheikh and Tenerife next winter and this decision demonstrates our commitment to the local airport.

"These new routes reflect the high level of demand from customers wishing to fly from Durham Tees Valley and will offer our customers a wider range of destinations to choose from."

Packages from both Thomson and First Choice are on sale tomorrow with flight-only deals available from January 28.