A BRAND new summer route from Teesside Airport to Portugal has been revealed as Ryanair has confirmed the first flights will depart in just a matter of weeks.

The low-cost carrier has today said it will launch the twice-weekly service, flying Wednesday and Saturday, between the airport and Faro from June 16 - with a sale offering seats for less than £20.

It will mark the airline's first departure from Teesside Airport since committing to its return in a seven-year deal last year.

Read more: Ryanair has SEVEN-YEAR contract with Teesside Airport - with flights until 2027

It comes as Portugal was added to the Government's "green list" following the easing of restrictions, which means holidaymakers do not need to self-isolate when they return. 

Announcing the news, Ryanair said the airport continues to deliver "competitive" charges which allowed for the potential of further routes.

The Northern Echo:

Jason McGuiness, Ryanair's Commercial Director, said: “We are very pleased to announce a new route from Teesside to Faro on the back of the UK’s green list announcement.

"Teesside customers will now have the choice of four popular destinations this summer – Alicante, Corfu, Faro and Palma de Mallorca – all operating twice weekly from June.

"Teesside Airport continues to deliver efficient operations and competitive airport charges, allowing for long-term traffic growth and new routes."

Mr McGuiness said a sale had been launched offering fares to Faro from June until the end of October, with prices beginning at £19.99.

The announcement follows on from the recent confirmation that the £6 "hated" Passenger Facility Fee would be scrapped as part of the airport's transformation plan.

Read more: Teesside Airport's 'hated' passenger facility fee to be scrapped within WEEKS

Describing the new route as yet another "vote of confidence" for the airport, the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said Ryanair had reacted to demand for the already-announced routes.

The Northern Echo:

He said: “This is fantastic news, and yet another vote of confidence in our airport. Of course, it has only been made possible because of the tremendous take-up of Ryanair’s flights to Alicante and Palma by local people.

“Passengers are showing they’re backing our airport and Ryanair is paying back their commitment in spades.

"Even before the first flight has taken off, Ryanair has listened to what people have been crying out for and doubled its routes to give them a much-needed break.

“We’ve been working hard over the past few months to transform our terminal, get it fit for the 21st century and make it easier and smoother than ever to pass through.

"We can’t wait to welcome people back through our doors for these great summer breaks – and our growing slate of other domestic and international flights.”

At the time of revealing to The Northern Echo the passenger fee would be scrapped, Mr Houchen said this had been down to the commitment from Ryanair.

He said the money lost from the passenger fee would be 'more than offset' by the finances from the arrival of Ryanair and new routes run by Loganair.