NEWCASTLE Airport has reported an increase in overall passenger numbers - demonstrating a steady recovery in the air passenger market.

Mike Luddy, Newcastle Airport's marketing director, said: "Our latest passenger statistics show that overall passenger numbers for November increased by 18 per cent compared with the same month last year.

"Customers in the North-East are confident in travelling again.

"This demand for air travel has been reflected in the huge amount of interest in the forthcoming announcement of low-fare routes to be available with easyJet from Newcastle next spring.

"EasyJet starts its base operation here in April, with flights to five or six destinations initially, and we anticipate that our passenger figures will receive a significant boost in the months and years to follow."

Domestic scheduled passenger figures recorded a 26 per cent increase last month (105,764) compared with November last year (84,046).

Factors resulting in this increase include passenger numbers having grown significantly on British Airways' services to Heathrow and Gatwick due to low fares from Newcastle, starting from £59 return