AN airport has achieved record-breaking numbers after welcoming its millionth passenger of the year.

Newcastle Airport reached the milestone as passengers checked in for a Thomson’s flight to Orlando.

Passenger Craig McLean, from Stockton, was presented with £100 worth of World Duty Free Vouchers after the airport reached the total within the first four months of 2017.

Mr McLean and wife Kirsty were travelling with children Emily and Poppy on the flight.

He said: “We have been looking forward to this holiday for months and already felt very lucky to be treated to a holiday to Florida.

“It’s was a great feeling to be the one millionth passenger to use the airport this year.”

The airport says it has seen strong demand on non-EU routes to the likes of Dubai, Geneva and the Canaries, while EU-scheduled traffic continues to rise with new routes including Newcastle’s first ever service to Madrid.

John Irving, the airport’s Business Development Director, said: “We are delighted to have already welcomed one million passengers through the terminal in 2017 and it was wonderful to share the celebrations with the McLean family as they prepared to jet off to Florida.

“We continue to invest in the airport to help ensure we match the needs of all our passengers”.