TRAVEL agent Going Places says demand has surged for holidays departing from Newcastle Airport as North-East holidaymakers increasingly choose to fly from closer to home.

The company has analysed demand across several of its stores in the region, with staff finding that people are more reluctant to book holidays departing from Manchester, Gatwick and Heathrow.

In some cases Newcastle has overtaken the three bigger airports as a favoured departure point, with Teesside Airport also proving increasingly popular.

Ian Dobison, regional manager for Going Places in the North-East, said: "We are making more seats available every year from Newcastle Airport.

"We are finding that people are not prepared to get in their cars and make the long journeys to airports in other regions. They want to fly from an airport close to home."

Mr Dobison said that both Newcastle and Teesside were now offering a greater choice of destinations, which was a key factor. Investment in the pair had also helped the upsurge in demand.