AIRPORT bosses will continue endeavouring to connect the North-East with the rest of the world after launching a new flagship route, a senior official has said.

Leon McQuaid says great potential exists for Newcastle Airport to keep strengthening its roster following the start of Ryanair services to Madrid today (Monday, March 27).

Mr McQuaid said the flights, which mark the first time the airport has flown to the Spanish capital, will provide a direct gateway for tourists to savour holidays and businesses to access meetings.

He was backed by Santander’s Simon Dunn, who said there is significant scope for trade missions to and from Newcastle to help exporters on both sides attract and maintain business.

Ryanair’s flights, which the budget Irish carrier is complementing with services to Faro, in Portugal, and Spain’s Girona and Palma, follow on from rival Easyjet’s decision to launch two new routes to Berlin and Las Palmas, in Gran Canaria.

Mr McQuaid, aviation development manager, said he hopes the Madrid flights can back up the success of its Berlin services, which have attracted great interest from flyers keen to visit the North- East for holidays and business.

He also said such a timetable was proof of the airport’s commitment to growth and passenger demand, confirming discussions would continue taking place over potential new services.

He told The Northern Echo: “This is the first stepping stone; we have got a good mix of carriers and Ryanair are bringing something else.

“If we can build traffic flow and build the market, it creates a bedrock for the connectivity.

“You cannot question a direct flight.

“If you want a short break or have a business meeting, to be able to get there and back makes a massive difference.

“We hope to have a few more city breaks on the list; we will always be looking at what the next steps can be.

“We want to grow in a sustainable way.

“I go out and do a lot of networking and speaking to people there were always certain places that were brought into conversation; Berlin was there and so was Madrid.

“That’s why we are really pleased and proud to say ‘here it is’.”

Mr McQuaid’s positivity was echoed by Mr Dunn, regional director for international work at Santander corporate and commercial banking, who said the flights provide great opportunity to strengthen trade links.

He said Santander has already undertaken trade missions to Madrid this year, with further experience of similar excursions to Germany, Poland, Mexico and Chile, adding Spain’s position as the UK’s sixth largest trading partner makes it an attractive destination.

He added: “Spain has had a bit of a downturn but it is one of the fastest-growing economies and these flights open up opportunities for North-East businesses “We support people through trade missions and are taking companies to Spain but have also brought Spanish firms to the UK.

“There is no reason why we cannot fly them into Newcastle to meet North-East businesses.

“It is opening new windows and the flights are ideal, especially when you can fly in and fly back in a couple of days at what is not a huge cost.”