Ryanair is celebrating 20 years of operations and six million passengers at its Newcastle International Airport base.

The carrier was the first low-fare airline to operate at Newcastle International Airport, launching flights from Dublin in 2003. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, the airline’s summer 2023 schedule will deliver two based aircraft at a US$200m investment, 20 total routes, 130+ flights per week and a 7% growth compared to the same time in 2022.

“Our record summer ’23 schedule of more than 130 weekly flights across 20 routes will not only provide Newcastle’s customers with an unbeatable selection of sunny hotspots and vibrant European city break destinations,” said Jade Kirwan, Head of Communications, Ryanair, “but will continue to promote important regional development through the support of over 800 local jobs and delivery of even greater connectivity with Europe and its millions of holidaymakers.”

“We are delighted to celebrate 20 years of partnership with Ryanair,” added Leon McQuaid, Director of Aviation Development, Newcastle International Airport, “an airline that has continuously invested in the North-East since starting operations in 2003. Two decades later, Ryanair supports over 800 jobs in the region, from cabin crew to engineers, and will operate its biggest ever programme from Newcastle this summer.”

Image: Ryanair