Transport bosses back Think North East First campaign

Feb 25 2009 The Journal

NEGLECTING the region’s ports and airports could cost the regional economy hundreds of millions of pounds.

That was the warning last night issued by transport bosses as they threw their weight behind The Journal’s Think North East England First campaign.

We are calling on you to support local businesses of all sizes in a bid to help the region through the global financial crisis. And with the North East’s two airports and two ferry terminals directly contributing nearly £900m to our economy every year, regional development leaders say their continued success is vital.

NewcastleGateshead Initiative chief executive Andrew Dixon said: “The growth of the airports and the Port of Tyne have been critically important to building a local tourism industry and to local business.

“We need to encourage people to continue using the port and the airports as we grow new routes to places like Ireland and Norway because the benefits of having inbound passengers are huge for the region.

“We want to encourage our local population to invite relatives from other parts of the country, like Bristol and London, to fly up and visit our region to take advantage of what we have to offer.”

Since opening as little more than a grass runway and a solitary hangar in 1935, Newcastle International Airport has grown massively to become the regional hub it is today.

A £27m extension was launched by Tony Blair in 2000 and passenger figures soared to nearly four million in 2003. Since then, it has grown further to offer flights to more than 80 destinations.

The arrival of Emirates was a major coup and services to Dubai and the Far East are now on offer. Connections with locations further afield have provided a huge boost to the economy and it is estimated more than 1,000 Australians arrive into Newcastle every month.

Backing The Journal’s campaign, Newcastle International’s chief executive Dave Laws said: “I am from the region and I am passionate about the region and ever since I took this job, I have said I want to develop the airport for the benefit of the people of the North East.

“That is why both and I and the airport as a business are delighted to support a campaign that aims to boost the regional economy and see local businesses thrive.

“We know the hard-working people of the North East value their holidays hugely and that is why we want to offer them the best service we can – both in terms of the experience they have at the airport and in terms of the choice of destinations.

“I have been at the airport around 30 years and during that time I have seen the number of worldwide routes we provide increase massively. We’ve also seen major developments on the ground too, the latest of which is a new four-star luxury hotel currently under construction. All this growth means the airport now supports as many as 3,500 jobs on site.

“We are now in a position to be able to offer routes to Dubai and the Far East, around 12 flights a day to London, and services to dozens of leading European locations. But that can only continue into the future if the people of the North East continue to support us and choose to fly from Newcastle when they take their holidays, short breaks and business trips.

“This is not only crucial in terms of making sure we keep hold of routes heading out of the region but also in terms of making sure people continue to be able to fly into the North East.”

Graeme Mason, head of planning and corporate affairs, said: “The flow of passengers into the North East not only contribute to the regional economy directly but also contributes £1.2bn indirectly, as these people stay in hotels, spend money in bars and restaurants, visit local attractions across Northumberland and County Durham and even take up places in our universities.

“We also know through discussions we have had with major figures in the business community that one of the key reasons a lot of big firms feel comfortable having a presence in the North East is because of our connectivity with locations throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.” One North East director of communications and tourism, Stacy Hall, said: “Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley airports provide significant economic value to the region, large-scale employment and play an important role in improving connectivity to and from North East England for both tourism and business travellers.

“The airports handle over six million passengers each year. They provide both direct and indirect employment for more than 4,000 people and share a combined direct contribution of £400 million to regional GVA – that is 50% more than in 1998.

“The region’s ports at Sunderland, Port of Tyne, Seaham, Berwick, Blyth and Teesport are responsible for handling 60 million tonnes of freight per year and supporting the direct employment of 4,700 people. Teesport alone provides £400m to regional GVA.

“In 2008 a total of 29 cruise ships came to the region and for 2009 we have 23 ships provisionally booked. By 2010 cruise tourism is expected to contribute £6.5m to the regional economy with the creation of 100 jobs.”

Regional connectivity suffered a hammer blow last week when Durham Tees Valley airport lost its flight to the capital. And its bosses have blamed the problem on the Government’s aviation charging policy.

Hugh Lang, group director of Peel Airports, owner and operator of Durham Tees Valley, said: “I believe The Journal deserves congratulations for launching this campaign which could not come at a more crucial time.

“It’s important to point out that this is not just a problem affecting a single airport, a single airline-or indeed a single region since, for example, bmi is also withdrawing its Heathrow services from Leeds-Bradford airport. But it is especially critical for the North East where our companies increasingly operate in the global market place.

“That is why we have seen organisations including One NorthEast, the North East Chamber of Commerce and the Association of North East Councils all expressing alarm at the bmi decision and all pledging to work with Durham Tees Valley is examining ways of restoring the London link. Their concern and support is very welcome but we need to get that message across to those who really can make a difference – the Government.”

We want to encourage locals to invite relatives from other parts of the country