NEWCASTLE Airport has come out on to top at the 2015 Wanderlust Magazine Travel Awards, winning the gong for Top UK Airport.

TV presenter Julia Bradbury presented the awards, held at the Destinations Travel Show at Olympia in London, which were voted for by almost 3,000 of the publication’s readers.

More than 30 airports were nominated in the UK category and a satisfaction rating of 86 per cent saw Newcastle Airport claim first place for the first time.

Janet Collins, general manager terminal operations at Newcastle Airport, said: “We were one of over 400 airports that Wanderlust Magazine readers visited in 2014. They are experienced travellers and they know what makes an excellent airport.

“To come first as the Top UK Airport for these readers, with a satisfaction rate of over 80 per cent, is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the hard work of all of our staff who strive to make us the most welcoming Airport in the UK.”

This is the latest award in what has been a very successful twelve months for Newcastle Airport. In August 2014 Which? magazine readers voted Newcastle the top large airport in the UK for the second year running.

Last year the airport was named the best base for customer service by easyJet, the best for on time performance by Thomas Cook, and the top performing base for 2014 by Jet2.

“It's great to see the smaller regional airports coming out on top," said Wanderlust Editor Phoebe Smith. "Reporting a high satisfaction level, our readers clearly love Newcastle Airport, whether using it to travel within the UK or heading further afield. Well done to the whole team there – a well-deserved winner.”

Wanderlust magazine was launched in 1993. It caters for adventurous travellers who want fresh and authentic travel experiences abroad.