Staff at TUI and Newcastle Airport waved off the first ever passenger flight to the Cape Verde Islands from the airport on Tuesday.
It marked the beginning of TUI's year-round service to the popular beach destination of Sal, on the Portuguese-speaking islands off the coast of West Africa. The addition of the weekly flight means that TUI now serves 29 destinations from Newcastle Airport.
Alongside Sal, TUI also recently commenced another brand-new route from the region, with year-round flights to Sharm El Sheikh, on Egypt's Red Sea coastline, also taking off this month. These follow on from TUI announcing its biggest ever holiday programme from Newcastle International Airport for summer 2024, with 120,000 more seats on sale than summer of this year.
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Philip Iveson, TUI's commercial director, said: "The inaugural flight from Newcastle International Airport to Sal, Cape Verde, marks an exciting new chapter for people in the North East, who now have more choice and flexibility when it comes to choosing their dream holiday. Cape Verde is well known for its year-round sun, and we are confident those flying from Newcastle Airport will enjoy all the island has to offer.
"At TUI, we’re really proud of our unrivalled regional flying program and Newcastle International Airport is such an important part of this. We’re looking forward to continuing to grow this partnership by adding even more destinations to our flying program such as today’s inaugural flight".
Leon McQuaid, director of aviation development, said: "We are delighted that TUI have reacted to feedback from the North East travelling public and have added Sal, Cape Verde to their holiday programme from Newcastle International Airport. This investment represents TUI’s confidence in the airport and their commitment to providing even more choice for passengers.
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