NORTH-East jetsetters look set for more low-cost flights as the region turns into a battleground between two major competitors.

Ryanair yesterday announced the introduction of more flights between Teesside International Airport and Dublin, as low-cost competitor easyJet sealed a £374m takeover of Go.

And while Ryanair identified the North-East as a fruitful area for expansion, a spokesman for Go would not rule out running flights from Teesside.

Go, which already operates flights from Newcastle, is set to lose its brand under the deal, which is likely to intensify competition with Dublin-based Ryanair, as well as airlines such as British Airways and British Midland.

The no-frills airline industry has taken off in recent years, while airlines such as British Airways have been forced to cut staff, particularly since September 11.

Hugh Lang, managing director of Teesside Airport, said last night: "The North-East is poorly served by low-cost airlines at the moment, particularly compared to other parts of the UK.

"Teesside enjoys a good relationship with Ryanair and there is huge potential for expansion in the low-cost market within the North-East."

Ryanair has introduced thousands more seats on the popular Teesside-Dublin route, with the addition of extra weekend flights from June 7. It will now carry 100,000 passengers each year from Teesside.

To launch the flights, the airline is offering a £10 one-way fare for travel on selected flights between June and July.

Enda O'Toole, Ryanair's head of communications, said if the airline keeps growing at its current rate it will become bigger than British Airways by 2010.

"This schedule expansion underlines Teesside's position as the capital of low fares in the North-East," he said.

A Go spokesman said there would definitely be expansion under the new easyJet airline.

He said: "It is too early to name specific airports, but just because another low-cost airline runs services from an airport, it doesn't stop us operating from there."

A spokeswoman for easyJet confirmed expansion plans.

Ryanair's £10 deal is available on selected flights if booked before May 20.