FISHING rods and artwork have helped an airport’s export figures take-off, it has been revealed.

Newcastle Airport says demand for cargo, mainly through its daily Dubai service, has lifted annual export values to £310m.

Bosses say the number has grown from less than £20m in 2007, hailing its near ten-year partnership with Fly Emirates, which helps takes goods, such as fishing equipment, oilfield and automotive parts, to the Middle-East.

David Laws, the airport’s outgoing chief executive, said: “We take great pride in the role we play in the regional economy.

“The increase in flown exports over the last nine years has been phenomenal and the Emirates service highlights the transformational effect a single long-haul scheduled service can have.

“With the North-East being the only region in the country with a consistently positive balance of trade, and with about 150,000 jobs in foreign-owned companies in the region, our international links are critical to our business and economic success.”

Mr Laws, who will step down from his role at the end of the month to take on an aviation-based advisory role for infrastructure group, AMP Capital, added he hopes to see Newcastle’s United Airlines partnership, which connects the region to New York, replicate Emirates’ success.

Robert Siegel, Emirates’ vice-president in commercial cargo for Europe and Russia, said: “We take great pride in the strength of our regional gateways.

“We are very proud to be part of the continued growth of the Newcastle export market, carrying more than 14,000 tonnes of cargo since we launched the route.”