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Calls for direct Newcastle-New York flight

Think tank IPPR have called for a direct flight between Newcastle International Airport and New York’s Newark Liberty International airport, to boost business.

The North East-based group have published a report which praises the region’s transport links and for manufacturing, especially ports, but calls for better take up by business of digital and broadband connections.

It also recommends a single transport authority for the region modelled on the highly successful Transport for London and calls for a ‘North East Oystercard’.

Ed Cox, director of IPPR North, said: “The North East has huge potential both to drive northern economic prosperity but also national economic growth. But to do that we need to enhance the North East’s business connectivity with global markets.

“Newcastle’s International airport could connect businesses across the North East with new customers and new business collaborators across North America. What we need is a direct flight to from Newcastle to New York.

“Transport for London is a perfect blue print for the North East to take more power and control over the way transport investment in spent. We need to think big, be bold and work towards a North East-wide Oystercard so that someone could take buses and trains from South Shields to Middlesbrough all on the same smart ticket.”

Commenting on the praise in the report for Newcastle International Airport, Graeme Mason, planning and corporate affairs director, said: “We welcome the strong support that the report gives to Newcastle International Airport. The airport is a critical component of the North East economy. The Emirates service clearly demonstrates what a positive impact good connectivity can have on businesses, tourism, trade and exports.”

NECC chief executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “Our transport infrastructure provides businesses with international gateways to the world. This report will undoubtedly help improve our understanding of how businesses interact with these gateways and what policy makers can do to maximise these crucial links to existing and emerging markets.

“An improved understanding must of course be backed by action. We must ensure that transport policy serves its full role in aiding wealth and job creation in the North East. This will ensure success not only for the region’s businesses but for UK Plc as a whole.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .