EXTRA flights are to be laid on between the North-East and South-West of England, in response to demand for greater choice of services.

From Monday, August 19, British Airways' subsidiary, British Airways CitiExpress, will increase weekday flights from Newcastle to Bristol from three to five services.

Flights will take 80 minutes with services departing from Newcastle at 7.15am, 12.20pm, 2pm, 5.40pm and 6.55pm, arriving in Bristol at 8.35am, 1.35pm, 3.15pm, 7pm and 8.15pm.

Return services will take off from Bristol at 7.45am, 9am, 2pm, 3.50pm and 7.30pm, landing in Newcastle at 9.05am, 10.20am, 3.20pm, 5.10pm and 8.50pm. The airline will also offer one flight on Saturdays and three on Sundays.

Mike Bathgate, general manager commercial for British Airways CitiExpress, said: "There have been strong links between both regions since we first started the route nearly ten years ago.

"By increasing weekday services, we are providing the business traveller with a greater choice of flights ensuring they can conduct a morning, afternoon or full day's business in the South- West."

Newcastle Airport's business development director, Chris Sanders, said: "We are delighted that British Airways has responded to our request for more flights between Newcastle and Bristol."

Return fares start from £108 including taxes, fees and charges.

* From today, travellers will be able to make savings of up to 53 per cent across British Airways' intra-UK routes. Following the successful introduction of savings on selected routes, British Airways CitiExpress is lowering year round fares to as little as £79 return from Newcastle. Bookings can be made by visiting www.ba.com

* Travel company MyTravel yesterday became the first tour operator to launch a low-cost airline. MyTravelLite begins in October and will operate from Birmingham. Planes will initially fly to Belfast, Paris, Geneva, Alicante and Malaga. Fares will start at £19 one-way from Birmingham to Belfast.