BUSINESS leaders have warmly welcomed the prospect of direct flights to the North-East's biggest single trade partner as a gateway to potentially lucrative export links.

United Airlines Newcastle to NewYork flights, which will take-off from May 23 next year, are the culmination of a six year campaign by the North-East airport to secure the prestigious route.

The flights to Newark Liberty International Airport will run five days a week until September 7 in a summer trial period. Airport bosses hope the link, that will save North-East passengers the hassle of joining connecting flights to New York from the likes of London and Amsterdam, will become permanent.

About £2.4bn of North-East exports go to the region's single biggest market – the US – annually: equivalent to 66 per cent of all regional air freight. The non-stop passenger link will be a major boost to trade and tourism, said James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, who congratulated Newcastle International for its "unwavering determination" to establish an "economically significant" new route.

"The importance of a direct regular flight to New York must not be underestimated," added Mr Ramsbotham, who agreed with Dave Laws, airport chief executive, when he labelled the route a "game changer" for the region. The NECC chief believed it could have an impact akin to Emirates flights from Newcastle to Dubai - which carry more than £150m a year in exports. Since that route was opened in 2007 trade from the North-East to Australasia and the Middle East has soared by more than 65 per cent.

"There is no reason why this route can’t be as potentially lucrative as the Emirates flight to Dubai," added Mr Ramsbotham.

"Of NECC’s members, 42 per cent seeking to export in the next 24 months want to do so to the USA, this route opens the door to an enormously lucrative market for our fantastic exporters," he said.

The Newcastle flights have been timed to connect at New York, Newark with services to destinations throughout North, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership said: “The introduction of this regular transatlantic flight will open up new markets and new opportunities for business in the USA. The market between the North-East and North America is strong, but has the potential to grow significantly with direct connections.

“This was a key recommendation of the Adonis review and a major strand of the North East LEP’s strategic economic plan. We’re delighted it’s been realised and it’s fantastic news that United Airlines will be flying out of Newcastle to New York in 2015.”

In the meantime, airline Flybe has reinstated its daily Newcastle to Exeter route.

The airline had cut the link earlier this year as part of a cost-cutting drive.