EXTRA train services from the North-East to Manchester Airport will help further open up the region to the rest of the world, rail bosses say.

Four new direct trains between Newcastle and Manchester Airport have been introduced by operator TransPennine Express (TPE) on weekdays and five at weekends.

They will increase the total number of services on the cross-Pennine route to 74 each week, boosting links with the international airport and making it easier for passengers to access flights to the rest of the world.

The rail firm said it was also delivering the new services a year earlier than was planned.

Leo Goodwin, managing director for TPE, said: “We know that many of our customers from the North-East choose to fly from Manchester Airport and we hope these new direct services as well as our great value fares will make it even easier for people to travel.

“I’m proud that we have been able to deliver these improvements ahead of schedule and this is just the start of things to come.

“In 2018 we are planning to introduce an hourly direct service between Newcastle and Manchester Airport.

“Over the next three and a half years we will also be delivering an investment of £500m in 44 brand new trains which will be delivered between 2018 and 2020, while the rest of our trains will be refurbished to like-new standard.”

Nigel Morris is operations director for Nirvana Europe, a sports travel company, which sends athletes to international competitions and also welcomes overseas competitors to UK events.

He said: "As a business born and bred in the North-East, but with a significant international focus, the value of this service cannot be understated.

"We often have clients flying in from all over the world to compete in events across the UK, so anything that makes it quicker and easier for our team to access Manchester Airport is hugely positive news.

"We also have lots of North East-based customers who want to travel to far flung destinations served by Manchester, so a non-stop rail service will bring significant benefits to them as well."

Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Nexus, which oversees public transport delivery on Tyneside, said: “We are very pleased to see these new intercity services delivered a year ahead of schedule, as we have worked hard with TransPennine Express to make sure the new franchise delivers tangible improvements for passengers in the North-East.”