BUDGET airline easyJet yesterday unveiled six new routes out of Newcastle Airport, bringing eagerly-awaited cheap flights to travellers in the region.

From April, a one-way flight to Alicante in Spain, will cost from as little as £27.50, including taxes, running once a day during the week and twice daily at weekends. Barcelona (once daily) will cost from £22.50 and Belfast (twice daily) from £12.50.

From August, there will be once daily flights to Paris and Prague costing from £17.50, and a twice daily service to Bristol starting at £12.50.

Tickets for the six destinations will go on sale at 10am today, with the promise of more aircraft coming to the region in 2004 to serve even more routes.

Newcastle Airport chief executive John Parkin said yesterday: "We are delighted we can now bring low cost flights to the North-East.

"We think this choice offers something for everyone, whether for business day trips to Belfast or Bristol, short leisure breaks in Prague, Paris or Barcelona, or two-week holidays in Alicante.

"We are expecting an additional million passengers to pass through the airport in the next 12 months. And we hope to find there is more demand for people to come and visit the North-East as well.

Sales and marketing manager with easyJet, David Magliano, said more than 15,500 people helped choose the destinations, with Barcelona coming out on top.

He said: "There is massive demand for low cost flights in the North-East. So whether you want to taste a real Budvar beer in Prague, stroll down the Ramblas in Barcelona or pamper your lover in Paris, you can now fly from Newcastle."

Newcastle Airport will become easyJet's fourth regional base in the UK with two aircraft to be based at the airport from March, three from August, rising to four in 2004.

Newcastle Gateshead Initiative chief executive Neil Rami said: "This is tremendously good news for business and the wider community."