Ryanair has announced a new base opening in Newcastle for summer 2022, with two based aircraft, 63 departing flights a week and 19 routes in total, including 12 new connections to a host of international destinations across Europe from March next year. The new base will support jobs and tourism and will give a much-needed boost to UK customers and the economy, claims the low-cost carrier.

Ryanair’s new Newcastle base will deliver:

• Two based aircraft (equivalent to $200m investment)
• 60 direct jobs
• 400+ indirect jobs
• 19 routes in total
• 12 new routes to destinations such as Zadar, Paphos, Chania, Milan, Riga, Ibiza, Menorca, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Krakow

Ryanair says that it has already seen very high demand for low fare flights from Newcastle airport this summer, as UK passengers fly to popular destinations such as Palma, Malaga, Alicante and Faro. These customers can now look forward to having even more choice next summer with the addition of 12 new routes.

To celebrate the launch of Newcastle’s summer 2022 schedule, Ryanair has launched a seat sale with fares from £26.99 for travel until 31 October 2022. These must be booked by midnight on Sunday 7 August on the Ryanair.com website.

“We are delighted to launch a new UK base, representing a $200m investment, at Newcastle”, said Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson. “This development will create over 60 direct jobs and offer our UK customers a host of European hotspots to choose from next summer, including popular destinations such as Paphos, Chania, Menorca, Ibiza and Zadar.

“We have seen massive demand for fights from Newcastle this summer as UK customers flock to the beaches of Spain and Portugal and now customers will have much wider choice next summer with the addition of these new routes.

Newcastle International Airport chief executive Nick Jones added: “Today’s announcement from Ryanair to base two aircraft at Newcastle International Airport for summer 2022 is very significant news for both the airport and the region.

“Ryanair’s investment is a sign of growing confidence and will provide the public in the Northeast with a great selection of new destinations and extra weekly frequencies, offering more options for leisure and business travel. This will create new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineering alongside support services, as well as generating economic value for the wider area.

“The two based aircraft will see the number of routes operated from Newcastle by Ryanair increase from 7 to 19, including some exciting new destinations such as Milan and Riga. These new routes, alongside extra capacity on current services to destinations, provide our customers with choice not only on where to travel but also on the length of time spent visiting friends and family, on holiday, or away on business.

“We are delighted with the news and look forward to welcoming Ryanair, their crew and staff to their new home at Newcastle International Airport in the near future”, he concluded.

Last month, the airline reported a Q1 loss of €273m, compared to a PY Q1 loss of €185m, as a result of the continued impact of Covid-19, but more demand means total revenue increased by almost 200 per cent to over €370m.