EasyJet announces a new base at Newcastle Airport with 11 fresh routes for summer 2026, boosting connectivity across Europe and North Africa and creating over 1,200 jobs in the North East.
British business and leisure travellers will soon benefit from a significant uplift in regional connectivity, as easyJet confirms plans to launch 11 new routes from Newcastle Airport in summer 2026. The expansion coincides with the opening of a new operational base at the airport, expected to generate around 1,200 jobs, including 130 direct roles.
The move more than doubles the airline’s current offering from the North East, which presently includes eight destinations such as Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris, and Palma de Mallorca. From March 2026, easyJet will add direct services to key European and North African locations including Nice, Prague, Malta, and Sharm El Sheikh.
Three aircraft will be stationed at the new Newcastle base, enabling the carrier to operate a robust summer schedule. Flights to Antalya, Nice, Enfidha, and Faro will commence on 29 March, followed by Malta on 30 March, Dalaman and Reus on 31 March, and Corfu on 3 April. Prague and Sharm El Sheikh will join the network in August.
Leon McQuaid, director of aviation development at Newcastle Airport, welcomed the announcement: “The launch of 11 additional destinations, including a brand-new direct service to Nice, is fantastic news for our passengers. With hundreds of thousands of low-cost seats and thousands of package holidays already on sale, travellers have even more choice and value when planning their summer getaways.”
easyJet’s UK country manager, Kevin Doyle, added: “We’re delighted to be putting these new routes on sale as we prepare to open our Newcastle base. This expansion allows us to offer greater direct connectivity and more destinations across Europe and North Africa, all with great value fares and fantastic service.”
The announcement comes as Ryanair confirms a 41% reduction in capacity across Spanish regions and a 10% cut in the Canary Islands this winter, citing economic viability concerns. The contrast highlights easyJet’s strategic investment in regional UK growth, positioning Newcastle as a key hub for summer 2026.
For business travellers, the new routes offer increased flexibility and access to emerging markets, leisure hotspots, and key European cities—underscoring the North East’s growing role in international travel.