DAILY flights between Newcastle and Belfast Airport vacated by North-East operator Gill Air are set to be boosted from four to five.

The move announced by British European airlines bucks the general downward trend in the airline industry caused by the terrorist attacks in America.

British European took over the popular business route following the collapse of Gill, which was forced to call in the receivers last month after the banks pulled the plug.

It then began services to Belfast from Newcastle International on September 21, also taking over Gill's Newcastle to Paris Charles de Gaulle route.

British European, which appointed 14 ex-Gill staff as cabin crew based at Newcastle, says the decision to increase rotations on the Belfast link is as a result of positive passenger numbers.

It will increase services from four to five departures each weekday with effect from October 28.

The move is also a boost for Newcastle airport which says passenger journeys are "holding up well" in the wake of September 11.

A convenient schedule is being offered from both Newcastle and Belfast City using Bombardier Q300 aircraft.

New timings will provide an "early bird" departure time from both cities with evening returns enabling a full working day for business passengers.

As well as five flights each weekday, there are also two on Saturday and three on Sunday.

Eileen McBay, regional account executive for British European with responsibility for sales in the Newcastle area, said: "The first month of operation on the Newcastle to Belfast City route has been very pleasing with passenger numbers showing encouraging signs.

"Performance has been very good and both cities can only benefit from these increased frequencies.

"Passengers can take advantage of the convenient timings of the flights combined now with their greater capacity."

Fares offered by the company on the Newcastle to Belfast route begin from about £95 return, inclusive of tax.

British European is the UK's largest independent regional airline and this winter will be operating a fleet of 30 aircraft, serving six international routes and 18 domestic routes.