LOW cost German airline Hapag-Lloyd Express last night announced plans to run two extra flights from Newcastle Airport.

The success of an initial route to Hanover, launched in June, has prompted the launch of flights to Cologne/Bonn and Munich airports in Germany, which will start on March 1.

Hapag-Lloyd said the cost of flights will start at £13.99 one way.

The developments in the North-East are part of the company's increased investment plans for the UK and Ireland.

It is also launching extra UK and Ireland bases, with new routes from Edinburgh to Hamburg from summer 2005 and more from Ireland's Shannon Airport to Germany.

Wolfgang Kurth, chief executive of the airline, said: "We are combining an increase in flight frequency with the development of new, lucrative markets.

"This, together with our sustained low-price strategy, will enhance HLX's competitiveness and consolidate our position within the ever-growing European low-cost market, and make us the North-East's number one choice for flights to Germany."