Today marks the beginning of the school summer holidays and families across the region are already jetting off on their long-awaited and well deserved breaks.
Over the next six weeks, 900,000 people are expected to jet out of Newcastle International Airport to popular destinations such as Greece, Turkey and of course, Spain. There are also a host of new routes that adventurous travellers may take to see something new from the region, including Zadar in Croatia, Riga in Latvia and Bergen in Norway.
While there's been a chaotic summer at other airports in the country, Newcastle seems to have escaped much of the queues and cancellations that have plagued larger airports. And that continued today, as flights were largely on time as excited families arrived at the airport.
Read more: Newcastle Airport: How many fly in summer 2022, most popular destinations, how long security takes
One of those was the Johnsons from New Hartley in south east Northumberland. Their first trip since a 2-week holiday to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria in 2019, mum Julie and dad Norman were ecstatic to be getting away with their seven-year-old son Lydon, and their friends the Douglases after three years in the UK.
And there was one thing that surprised them at the airport, with Julie saying: "We haven't seen anyone with masks on, but were not too worried."
Norman added: "We're trying to get in as much as possible and we're going away for two weeks. We're going to the water park and on a boat trip, and we have a few ideas for trips too."
The Rutherfords from Bedlington were also heading out to Bodrum, though they had travelled since 2020. They actually flew to South Africa during a very short period in 2020 when restrictions allowed.
They didn't have too long to chat, as their friends had already checked in and were waiting for them in the departure lounge. However, ten-year-old India who broke up from school two weeks ago said: "I'm very excited, it's my second time to Turkey," and mum Karen added: "The only thing I am nervous about is that I've forgotten something!"
Dad Anthony added: "You have got to expect some queues, really we're just waiting 10 minutes. We flew to South Africa during a lockdown and there was nobody here at all, it was so strange - it's good to see it back busy again."
However, it wasn't just families jetting off to sunny climes. Leanne O'Wellen, from Teesside, was heading to the fifth hen do for her wedding which is finally going ahead next month after being cancelled three times.
Her previous hen dos have taken place in Barcelona, Liverpool and Ibiza, but Leanne was still excited about flying to Bodrum as though it was her first. She said: "I'm really excited for a week of surprises from the bridesmaids! The wedding is two and a half years delayed but it's just four more weeks until I marry Joel at Ellingham Hall in Northumberland, I can't wait!"
The bridesmaids played their cards close to her chest on what surprises were in store for Leanne, but maid of honour Becky did say: "We have got a beach club planned, a boat trip, and we are going to a place called Gümüşlük, which is an island with rabbits on it."
Though understandably there was a wait for check-in, especially at the Jet2 desk, none of the queues seen at the likes of Manchester and Gatwick were evident. There was however an air of excitement (as well as a fair few stressed faces) in the terminal with lots of families gearing up for their trips.
Nick Jones, Chief Executive at Newcastle International Airport said: "The Airport is already buzzing with excited passengers starting their summer holidays and it is a privilege to share and create those experiences. We are especially excited to welcome many passengers that will be departing on their first overseas summer holiday since travel restrictions were lifted.
"We are always very busy over the summer period and we will be working hard throughout the holiday season to ensure that our passengers have a pleasant experience at the Airport."
Where are you jetting off to this summer? Let us know!
Read next
