More than 750 jobs could be created and millions of pounds of investment parachuted into the region as a result of easyJet's decision to open up six new routes from Newcastle Airport.

New trade links are expected to be forged through the airline's choice of Paris, Barcelona and Prague as suitable destinations - not least the fact that the Czech Republic is soon to join the European Union.

Tourism in the region is also gearing up for an influx of reciprocal travellers, particularly from Ireland with the Belfast connection.

Irish visitors already account for six per cent or £10m of tourism-related earnings for the North-East.

Regional development agency One NorthEast has made available up to £1m for joint marketing projects to fill return flights from the individual destinations.

Dr John Bridge, chairman of the agency, said business was in a prime position to benefit from easyJet's announcement: "One of the main things that comes through time and again from businesses is the need for high quality air routes.

"It is almost a starting position for any region that wants to develop itself."

The region's suffering manufacturing sector will have an added competitive edge with the flight routes.

Dr Bridge said: "Approximately 175,000 people work in manufacturing in the North-East. At least half are exposed to export markets. If we do not have the high quality connections that allow us to connect to those markets, at some point you are putting that export performance at risk."

EasyJet announced that 100 jobs would come direct to the airport through extra ground staff and cabin crews to deal with the estimated 750,000 additional passengers using the airport.

Dr Bridge added that airports believe three-quarters of a million extra passengers equates to an extra 750 jobs.

Steve Rankin, North-East director of the CBI, welcomed easyJet's choice of routes: "Some of these destinations are major business destinations as well as tourist destinations.

"Business and economic performance follows the expansion of regional airports."

And it is not just Tyneside that expects to profit from Newcastle's good fortune.

Mark Lloyd, managing director of the County Durham Development Company and director of economic development at Durham County Council, said: "Anything that extends and improves the region's connections with the rest of the UK and Europe can only be a bonus in terms of potential inward investment and employment opportunities."

On the tourism front, Richard Spencer, director of marketing for Northumbria Tourist Board said yesterday's announcement would go some way to redressing the tourist spend imbalance.

At the moment British tourists spend more money abroad than foreign visitors spend while in Britain.

"People from abroad tend to stay a little bit longer and also spend a little more than domestic visitors," he said.

"The tourist potential of these routes is enormous, particularly the Belfast route."