EMIRATES is to introduce the largest passenger aircraft ever to fly daily from a North-East airport, boosting its capacity by more than 2,000 seats per week.

The airline will today announce it is introducing a Boeing 777-300ER on its daily flights between Newcastle and Dubai, with an extra 150 seats per flight compared to its present 278-seat Airbus.

The 428 seat aircraft will be introduced on September 1, the fifth anniversary of the route's launch in 2007.

It comes as more North-East firms are securing opportunities in the Gulf region and an increased number of travellers are visiting the area or using it as a stopover on long haul trips, to destinations including Thailand, Australia, China, Japan and Mauritius.

In recent weeks broadcasting equipment manufacturer The Canford Group, based in Washington, Wearside, has announced it is opening a Dubai office and family run cheese firm Prima, based in Seaham, County Durham, has won £100,000 worth of new orders from the Middle East region.

Since the route was launched, Emirates has carried more than 10m kilos of cargo and the new plane will increase capacity by 22per cent to more than 16,000 kilos per flight.

Emirates vice president for the UK Laurie Berryman expected to attract more business and leisure travellers to an enhanced business class offering, featuring 42 lie-flat beds.

He said: "I think we will see even more now. There are always opportunities for smaller businesses to get out and export. The eurozone might not be the best at the moment but India and China are growing and there are good opportunities for smaller British companies.

"I think exports are growing very strongly and if we are going to come out of this slowdown it is an export led package that is going to drag us out.

"We are still good at making things in the UK and the North-East has a good history of manufacturing.

"Also in the business cabin you will see people wanting that little treat, on a once in a lifetime holiday to the Maldives for example."

Since 2007 almost 700,000 passengers have travelled on the route, more than 175,000 of them overseas visitors to the North-East.

Mr Berryman added: "It does put a feather in Newcastle's cap. When we first examined the route seven years ago we felt there was a missing piece of the jigsaw for people wanting to go long haul. We have now filled that.

"I think we always looked at the route as having a natural growth curve and hoped within five to 10 years to build up to a bigger aircraft.

"The route started as the world economy was going into meltdown so it maybe took a little longer than normal, but I think it will go from strength to strength."

Newcastle Airport chief executive Dave Laws said: "This is a very significant announcement for Newcastle International.

"Despite challenging economic times, the daily service to Dubai has flourished. The growth of this global brand at the airport will bring employment opportunities and increased cargo carrying capabilities. This in turn will bring economic benefit, trade and investment to the region."