EasyJet, Newcastle’s largest and Europe’s leading airline, is today celebrating the launch of three new routes this week from Newcastle International Airport to Split in Croatia (2 June), and the Greek islands of Rhodes (4 June) and Corfu (7 June).

The airline handed out ice creams and beach bags to passengers travelling on its inaugural flight from Newcastle to Split this morning, helping to get their summer holidays off to a flying start.

With the help of the ice cream parlour at Vallum – a local artisan food hub on Hadrian’s Wall – easyJet passengers enjoyed a choice of gelato flavours, including a Greek-style Lemon meringue, classic vanilla and summery raspberry ripple.

More than 20,000 passengers are expected to fly in and out of Newcastle on the three new Split, Rhodes and Corfu routes from June to October this year alone.

Jennifer Groves, easyJet’s UK Regions Route Manager, said:

“It has been fantastic to mark easyJet’s new routes by meeting our first passengers flying to Split today. We hope they enjoyed this morning’s events and are confident they will love all that the Croatian city has to offer.

“easyJet provides a great variety of destinations from the North-East with 15 exciting beach, city and ski destinations for customers to choose from. With easy and affordable service there really is something for everyone.”

Chris Sanders, Aviation Development Director at Newcastle International Airport, commented:

“We welcome these new easyJet routes which will make it easier for North East holidaymakers to reach Greece and Croatia this summer.

“Rhodes and Corfu are long time favourites from this airport while Split offers the prospect of beach holidays as well as the opportunity for three and four night short breaks in and around this interesting city.”