HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to fly to three new destinations from the region from next year.

The country's largest tour operator will announce today that it will fly its biggest programme from Teesside International Airport in the summer of next year.

Today's announcement will see a doubling in the number of holidays available from Thomson Holidays.

The company will base an aircraft at Teesside from May next year, as well as adding three holiday destinations flying from the region.

Thomson's summer 2005 programme, which goes on sale today, features 15 destinations direct from Teesside and includes three new destinations - Corfu, Monastir, in Tunisia, and Gerona, on the Spanish Costa Brava.

Hugh Lang, managing director of Teesside Airport, said: "This news arrives at a great time for the airport as we are working to expand and develop the facilities at Teesside to accommodate the increase in passenger numbers over the next few years.

"We have joined forces with the UK's biggest tour operator to offer the travelling public an extensive programme from their local airport."

Chris Mottershead, Thomson managing director, said: "This is a very exciting development for Thomson. We know that people like flying from airports which are convenient to get to and from, which is why we are so pleased to add Teesside to our flying programme."

The range of holidays available from Teesside will also include other brands within the Thomson Group, including Portland Direct, Skytours and Just.