NEWCASTLE International Airport will today (Friday April 11) announce a major development of its departure lounge.

The airport, which aims to be the most welcoming in the UK, will formally outline its plans to reshape the experience for passengers, which will see the entire departure lounge transform over the next year.

As well as offering new shops, restaurants, cafes and bar areas, the departure lounge layout will be changed to provide a more straightforward journey for customers.

The first phase of the development is now complete, with The Beer House, Flying Hippo, and Aspire Lounge open for passengers this month.

The next major phase will begin this autumn, with most work expected to be completed by May 2015.