MORE low-cost airline services have come to the North-East after demand from passengers in the region soared.

Ryanair launched its once a day service from Newcastle to Dublin just three months ago. Yesterday, the company doubled the service to twice a day.

Kathryn Munro, Ryanair UK and Scotland sales manager, said: "I don't think this has been done before in such a short time period anywhere else in the industry.

"The passenger numbers are looking so healthy and attractive that we have the confidence to do it."

It takes the service capacity from 70,000 to 140,000 a year. It also strengthens the link between two of Europe's party cities.

Ryanair has 125 new generation Boeing 737s on order. Some of the new planes could be employed linking Newcastle to Ryanair's bases in Stanstead, Glasgow, Milan and Stockholm.

Rival budget airline Easyjet unveiled its new services from Newcastle to Alicante, Barcelona and Belfast, this weekend. But yesterday, passengers faced delays on all three flights - up to five-and- a-half hours for Barcelona, and 90 minutes for Alicante.

A plane destined for Belfast suffered technical problems and was delayed for three hours. Mike Luddy, of Newcastle Airport, said the aircraft safety for passengers had to be a priority.