A NORTH-EAST airport was celebrating last night after a major boost from international airline KLM.

Teesside International Airport got a vote of confidence from the company which announced it was to double capacity on its three-times-a-day service to Amsterdam, Holland.

There was good news for passengers too, as the airline also announced it was to introduce jet aircraft on the service.

KLM UK flew more than 80,000 passengers out of Teesside to Amsterdam last year.

The new 103-seat Fokker jet aircraft will replace the 50- seater turbo propellor aircraft once KLM's winter schedules get under way on October 27.

Airport managing director Hugh Lang said: "This is just the news that the airport, and our customers, wanted to hear from KLM.

"It means that, as well as being able to meet the very high levels of demand on this important route, passengers will enjoy a much improved standard of service with the jet aircraft.

"Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is one of the most important international hubs in Europe, providing links to air services around the world, which is why the KLM service is so valued and well-supported by both business and leisure passengers alike."

He said doubling capacity on the route was very good news.

"I am sure that the airline's confidence in the opportunities for continuing to increase business from Teesside are well-founded," he said.

KLM last night said the move had come in the wake of substantial passenger growth on the route.

Tony Le Masurier, general manager UK, KLM, said: "We are delighted to be able to increase capacity to cope with the demand from Teesside Airport.

"All over the UK, passengers are realising the benefits in convenience, time and money of flying from their local airport."

Of the passengers flown by KLM UK from Teesside, 74 per cent are transfer passengers going on to fly on KLM's worldwide network, while the remainder are point-to-point business and leisure travellers to Holland.

The most popular routes on KLM from Teesside are Dusseldorf, Hong Kong and Dubai.