AN airport boss has refused to rule out increased flights to New York as passengers continue to brush off terror attacks and Brexit uncertainty to jet abroad.

Graeme Mason says Newcastle Airport will begin talks over renewing its Big Apple services in the coming weeks.

Mr Mason also revealed the airport has seen no impact on demand from outside influences, saying holidaymakers remain unflustered by acts of extremism and the falling sterling after the EU referendum vote.

Newcastle’s non-stop services to New York re-started in May, with flights, overseen by airline United, running six times a week through to September.

The flights, prized by airport bosses for years, build on five-day-a-week operations launched last year and complement Emirates’ long-haul offering to Dubai.

Mr Mason, planning and corporate affairs director, told The Northern Echo: “As we did last year, we will take stock and see what the plans are for the future, but it’s so far so good.

“It is a good relationship and United are an excellent airline to work with.

“We’ve been encouraged by the amount of people coming into the region from the US.”

Mr Mason also said Newcastle, which last week saw budget carrier Ryanair reveal it will begin new flights to Faro, Girona and Palma from next summer, was benefiting from passengers’ strong will to enjoy their holidays.

He said: “The airport is in good shape and it is business as usual.

“Passenger numbers are up and people are still wanting to go on holiday in large numbers.

“We expect that to continue into the next year as well; we are very optimistic about the future.

“People work hard all year for their holiday and are determined to go.

“We are living in a turbulent world, but they are saying life must go on and their breaks are very important to them.

“We will take stock in relation to the referendum but UK aviation is a very dynamic and strong industry and we are a strong airport; we will keep going forward.”

Speaking to The Northern Echo in May, Bob Schumacher, United Airline’s UK and Ireland managing director for sales, echoed Mr Mason’s optimism over New York flights, hinting they could become all-year round services.

He added: “We are back bigger and better and it is now a case of tickling, nurturing and growing what we have.

“We have a wonderful asset (with our planes), we can fly anywhere and deploy them where we think there is demand.

“But we have seen that people really want this and that it is a success story because of the connectivity it provides.

“Let’s see how it goes.”