THE Government is to give the go-ahead for the expansion of Teesside and Newcastle airports.

Bigger terminals are planned, along with extended runways.

Ministers have also agreed to ring-fence slots at London airports for flights from the North to ensure an adequate level of service.

The pledge will ease fears that flights from Teesside or Newcastle to Heathrow could be axed as airlines switch to lucrative overseas routes.

The twin announcements were made yesterday as part of the Government's long-awaited blueprint for the expansion of air travel during the next 30 years.

The White Paper threw the Government's weight behind plans to extend both the terminal and the runway at Teesside, where passenger numbers are expected to double by 2030.

The airport was considered ideal for expansion because few people were affected by noise and because a new access road and bus links to Darlington and Middlesborough were being planned.

The White Paper concluded: "Extensions to both terminal facilities and runway length, and enhancements to the existing taxi-way system, could be provided within existing airport land."

Hugh Lang, managing director of Teesside International Airport, said: "This is just the kind of green light we wanted from the Government.

They have clearly taken the view that regional airports have a very important role to play in the future development of services and, wherever possible, they should be given the chance to maximise their potential within the commercial market."

At Newcastle, the White Paper stated there was a great deal more support than objection for plans to expand terminal facilities and develop a 360-metre runway.

Graeme Mason, Newcastle Airport planning and property manager, said it was "excellent news". He added: "In terms of contribution to the region's GDP and its role in supporting big organisations and international companies, the airport will be one of the most important economic drivers as the region continues to grow."

The Government has also urged regional development agency One NorthEast to investigate setting up a route development fund to subsidise new services.

Alan Ferguson, president of the North-East Chamber of Commerce, said: "News that the Government is supportive of extra terminal facilities and extended runways is welcome. We are, however, concerned that no timescales for these developments are being tabled. We cannot afford to wait 30 years for changes to happen."