AN airport has lost stellar New York flights after weak demand and EU referendum worries forced an operator into retreat – but bosses have refused to rule out bidding for fresh US services.

Newcastle Airport’s non-stop Transatlantic operations will end next month.

United Airlines says the route, which started last year, has not been profitable, adding it expects the Brexit-induced weaker pound to exacerbate the situation.

About 33,000 people are understood to have used the Big Apple service during its two-year stint in the region, including 18,000 passengers this summer, and, just days ago, Newcastle officials told The Northern Echo they were planning to start talks on a possible renewal in 2017.

However, United says the clamour has not been sufficiently strong enough to warrant a return.

The decision is a bitter blow for Newcastle bosses, who, having spent years battling to secure the flights, hoped they would provide a gateway to increase North-East business trade across the Atlantic and bolster holiday connections.

But Nick Jones, interim chief executive, said United’s withdrawal was not reflective of the airport’s wider progress, revealing annual passengers numbers are moving ever closer to a five million target.

Saying it hasn’t ruled out future Transatlantic flights, he added Ryanair’s decision to launch new services to Portugal and Spain next summer, and a similar move by rival EasyJet to start Berlin and Gran Canaria flights, prove the airport is still growing.

He said: “We really have given the New York route our best possible shot and passenger numbers have been higher, but we understand United’s decision.

“We would like to thank customers who used the service and we continue to have numerous connections for business travellers to the US via our Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin and other hub services.

“Newcastle Airport remains very strong; the New York service is certainly not reflective of the general trend.”

Newcastle’s American dream was spearheaded by former chief executive, David Laws, who revived plans left grounded by the economic downturn in 2007.

After convincing United to start five-day-a-week operations last summer, he then thrashed out negotiations to increase the frequency to six days this year, exclusively telling The Northern Echo in December he wanted to see United’s New York jets serve Newcastle all-year round by 2020.

Speaking at the resumption of flights this May, Bob Schumacher, United’s UK and Ireland managing director for sales, echoed Mr Laws' optimism, saying the business was keen to explore an extension.

However, less than a month before its final plane is due to leave Newcastle on September 6, the US airline has confirmed it will sever ties, citing demand and sterling’s devaluation as reasons for its departure.

A spokeswoman said: “We have regretfully taken this decision because the route has not proved to be profitable.

“(It is also) because of the anticipated impact of the weaker pound on UK outbound travel.”

Councillor Iain Malcolm, who leads South Tyneside Council and the consortium that part owns the airport, added: “The region pulled together magnificently to secure New York, and we have all worked extremely hard to make it work.

“However, the airport remains in good shape with strong passenger number growth and significant new services.”