AIRPORT bosses are predicting a busy weekend this Easter as holiday makers jet off for a break.

The first bank holiday of 2009 is set to be Durham Tees Valley Airport's busiest period so far this year.

Staff expect up to 5,000 passengers to travel through the airport between Thursday and next Tuesday.

Kerry Quinn, Durham Tees Valley's Airport Director, said passengers were still taking advantage of budget flight offers - despite the economic gloom.

"With the economy continuing to dominate the news, it looks like a well deserved break for many is what's needed," she said.

"Passengers appear to be looking to cheer themselves up and travel in search of some early sunshine to the many destinations currently available from the airport and escape to enjoy the long weekend."

Routes available from the airport include Barcelona and Alicante in Spain, as well as destinations closer to home such as Dublin and Aberdeen.