An impressive 28,000 tonnes of cargo have been shipped in and out of Newcastle since the launch of the route to Dubai
Leading airline Emirates has marked a decade of operations out of Newcastle International Airport having carried more thsn 912,000 passengers between Newcastle and Dubai since launching in September 2007.
Business leaders and directors at Emiorates and Newcastle airport said the figures reflect the importance of the city to the ongoing growth of the UK's northern powerhouse.
Latest figures reveal over 115,000 passengers have travelled between newcastle and Dubai in the last 12 months alone and that more than 28,000 tonnes ofcargo have been shipped in and out of Newcastle since the launch of the route, with 4.2m kgs carried in and out of the UK in the past year.
The most popular cargo carried include pharmaceutical products and oil well equipment.
Laurie Berryman, Emirates Vice President, UK, said: "We are so proud to be celebrating ten years out of Newcastle Airport. The gateway continues to go from strength to strength and the milestone represents Emirates' continued commitment to the city.
"We're really excited about what the future holds in Newcastle, and look forward to the next decade of operations."
Nick Jones, chief executive at Newcastle International Airport, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating Emirates 10th anniversary. Emirates takes great pride in the role it plays in the region, both for business and leisure passengers and we look forward to this fantastic relationship goinf from strength to strength in the future."
James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, added: "The last ten years have been some of the most economically challenging in our lifetimes, yet North East England has thrived - achiecing record levels of employment, productivity and export success.
"We have Emirates to thank for so much of this: opening up the Middle East, Asia, the Far East, Australasia and Southern Africa, through its daily scheduled flight to its Dubai hub. It has been transformational. Our businesses have been quick to take advantage and do justice to the confidence in our region shown by Emirates for which we cannot thank the airline enough. Hello tomorrow - it is also our future."