Newcastle International Airport continues to play a vital role in the North East England economy with its latest figures showing the value of exports flown from the airport has risen substantially. This is predominantly thanks to its almost ten year-old Emirates Airline link to Dubai, the only eastbound long-haul service into the region.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier’s service to Dubai has for a long-time been hailed as a game-changer for North East England, not just affording better access into markets across the Middle East and into Asia and the Pacific via Dubai International Airport, but also due to the more than 14,000 tonnes of cargo its Airbus A330-200s and Boeing 777-300ERs have carried since it launched the route in 2007.

Before Emirates arrived in the region in 2007, flown exports stood at less than £20 million, but now stand at £310 million, the vast majority of which are flown out of the airport on Emirates’ daily departure. Pharmaceuticals, oilfield equipment and auto parts make up the bulk of exports, while more unusual cargo includes fishing rods and works of art.

“We take great pride in the role we play in the regional economy,” said David Laws, the soon to depart chief executive officer of Newcastle International Airport. “The increase in flown exports over the last nine years has been phenomenal and the Emirates service highlights the transformational effect a single long haul scheduled service can have.”

The key to Emirates success has been its strong network offer via Dubai and Newcastle Airport hopes to emulate this eastbound success with its new westbound New York service with United Airlines which is set to return for a second summer seasonal offer next month.

“The United Airlines service connects the region to New York and then across the Americas to over 300 destinations via its Newark hub,” highlighted Laws.

“With the North East being the only region in the country with a consistently positive balance of trade; and with about 150,000 jobs in foreign-owned companies in the region; our international links are critical to our business and economic success,” he added.