NORTH-EAST businesses can forge greater links with the US after a deal to deliver direct flights to New York was extended, airport bosses have said.

Newcastle Airport has confirmed United Airlines’ non-stop services to Newark will return next year.

Flights will operate six times a week between May 26 and September 6, building on the five-days-a-week operations enjoyed by passengers this year.

David Laws, the airport’s chief executive, said the agreement represents a tremendous achievement for the aviation base and the whole of the North-East.

He also told The Northern Echo it has listened and learned from its initial Big Apple adventure, adding an extra Thursday service at the request of businesses.

He said: “This is a great day and it’s what the region needs.

“Last year was the first time, it went well and United are back.

“Businesses told us what they wanted and we have listened.

“We have gone up to six flights and the next step is for the whole of the North-East to fill the planes.

“I remember recently sitting on a plane next to a guy who worked for a company in this region.

“It had only just found out about the flights and was desperate for it to return.

“This also brings the knock-on effect of getting more businesses from the US to the North-East and opens doors for connections through Newark to places like Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, as well as Canada.”

Bob Schumacher, United’s managing director for UK and Ireland sales, said Newcastle had proven itself to be a very valuable partner, and said the company was looking forward to 2016.

He added: “As the first airline to offer a scheduled non-stop service to the US from the North-East of England, we are excited to return to Newcastle next year.

“Our flights offer business and leisure travellers convenient access to New York, but also connections to hundreds of other great destinations across the Americas.”

Newcastle’s New York announcement came just hours after the airport revealed a partnership with Spanish low cost operator Vueling to run flights to Barcelona next year.

Under that agreement, Vueling will operate its first ever service between the two bases, with operations due to start in March.

The airport runs an extensive roster of flights, which includes a partnership with Emirates to take passengers to Dubai.