The world's largest airline is to begin daily services from the North-East of England to New York, it was announced today.

American Airlines is to fly from Newcastle International Airport to the Big Apple's John F Kennedy Airport from next May.

This will establish the North East's first ever scheduled transatlantic route to the US.

The new service will use American Airlines' fleet of Boeing 757 aircraft offering an all-economy class service.

The new route will allow British passengers to access the airline's extensive network, which stretches across the American continent and Caribbean.

Craig Kreeger, vice president - Europe and Pacific Division at American Airlines, said: ''The North-East is not short of tourist attractions, and I know that much is being done to market these to a wider international audience.

''I am sure that our new service will prove a great boom to the region's inbound tourism as my fellow Americans take the opportunity to explore landmarks such as Hadrian's Wall, Durham Cathedral, the Baltic Arts Centre or the fascinating Life Science Centre.''

''At the other end of this new transatlantic air bridge is the city that never sleeps, the Big Apple - perhaps the quintessential American city - New York.

''However, it is not just the many sights and sounds of New York that our new service will open up to travellers from the North East.

''New York's John F. Kennedy Airport is an important entry point into American Airlines' extensive network.''

John Parkin, chief executive of Newcastle International Airport, added: ''This route is important to the region. It's important because it puts our region firmly on the world stage and demonstrates so clearly what we in the North-East already know so well - that ours is a thriving, growing, dynamic and successful part of the UK with a lot to offer and a great future.

''It's a region that demands and deserves to be connected for business and for pleasure, to a key market that has long been important to the North-East.''

Newcastle International Airport is the fastest-growing regional airport in the UK.

Last year passenger numbers grew by 21% - three times the national average - to 4.7million people.

This year the airport expects numbers to increase further with 5.2 million flying from the airport.

The link with American Airlines means that the airport can offer passengers services across the whole of the American continent with the airline.

American Airlines, which was founded in 1926, is the world's largest with more than 4,200 daily departures from more than 250 destinations in over 40 countries worldwide.

Today's announcement has been made possible through the work of regional development agency One NorthEast, which has worked with Newcastle International Airport.

Aviation Minister Karen Buck said: ''It is excellent news for the economy of the region and for passengers wishing to fly directly between the North-East and the US.''