A NORTH-EAST airport is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year with thousands set to take to the skies to begin their summer holidays.

More than 50,000 passengers are expected to pass through the terminal at Newcastle International Airport this weekend as the school holidays get underway, with people from across the region sunnier climes.

Holidaymakers are spoilt for choice this summer with a number of new destinations on offer, including New York and over 300 onward connections across the Americas, thanks to the airport’s scheduled United Airlines service.

Other new routes include the Greek island of Santorini, Split in Croatia and a year round service to Geneva in Switzerland. Passengers can also travel on the Thomson Dreamliner to Florida and Cancun.

Newcastle International Airport chief executive David Laws said: “This summer is set to be our busiest in recent years and we are delighted to be able to offer new routes to our passengers.

“Along with our exciting new services, popular destinations again include Spain, the Canaries, Balearics, Turkey and the Greek Islands.

“Passengers will also get the chance to try out some of the new facilities we have on offer as our £14 million transformation of the departure lounge is almost complete.”

Almost three million passengers will pass through the airport between May and October this year, with just under 900,000 travelling during the seven week summer period.

British holidaymakers are also enjoying the cheapest summer getaways in Europe for years after the value of the pound rose "remarkably" against the euro.

Sterling rose to just under 1.44 euros, meaning that travellers who set out after many schools break up for the summer today will be able to exchange £500 for 696 euros - 132 more than two years ago.

It is the pound's highest level since November 2007 and up 15 per cent compared with this time last year, with analysts predicting that it could soar to 1.5 euros.

Experts said it may spell the end of summer "staycations" following the recession and lead to an increase in overseas trips.

Guy Anker, managing editor of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "It is undoubtedly, in a pure financial sense, one of the best times ever to go across to Europe since the euro has existed.”