Smiles lit up faces at Newcastle International Airport on Friday as thousands of families jetted off on half-term breaks.
Around 160,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport this week, in what's set to be its 'busiest half-term in years'. Over the same period last year, with Covid restrictions still in place, there were just 14,000.
For many flying on Friday, this was the fist trip abroad since before Covid-19 hit, and they couldn't wait to start enjoying some sun, sea and sand. We headed down to the airport to chat to some of those preparing to take to the skies, and their delighted mood was infectious.
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For the Duke family, from West Rainton, County Durham, this visit to Lanzarote would be the first time they'd left the country since the pandemic.
Seven-year-old twin girls April and Eve said: "It's our first holiday abroad in two years. We are super excited, we've missed going on holiday."
The holiday activity they're looking forward to most? "Milkshakes in the pool!"
It was a similar situation for the Crete-bound Armstrong family, from Gateshead. They've not been on an overseas trip since 2018, so seven-year-old Freddie and five-year-old Alfie can hardly remember what it's like.
Dad David, 37, said: "We're just over the moon to be going. We were due to go at Easter but Freddy's passport didn't arrive in time, so we're looking forward to this."
Whilst many people were looking forward to their first post-Covid foreign holiday, for one tiny passenger, this was a first holiday ever. At just five months old, little Ehnya Stewart was off to Crete in what parents Leah and Melanie Stewart, from Ashington, hoped would be the first of many trips.
Melanie, 47, said: "We're feeling a bit apprehensive, but excited. We're used to just getting packed for ourselves but now we have to sort everything out for her.
"We haven't been away since 2019, and we used to go to Turkey every year. I've seen a lot of the world and it is something I would like for her, travel is a good experience."
Leah, 41, added: "We're a little bit nervous but looking forward to it. We go on holiday every year and we said when we had her that life wouldn't change, we'd just take her with us wherever we went."
Many of those checking their bags in ahead of their trips were looking forward to celebrating something special on their trip away.
For Caroline and Kieran O'Neill, from Newcastle, that was Caroline's 60th birthday. They were planning to mark the occasion in Dalia, Turkey, with friends, with plans including a boat trip.
Caroline said: "We're relatively confident about flying, we will just be very careful to keep hand sanitising and wearing masks, the good thing is that you have to have your mask on on the flight.
"It's brilliant to be going, we are pretty lucky in that we travel quite a lot so in lockdown we were going stir crazy."
There was more than one celebration to choose enjoy for great-grandmother Tina Pearson. The 92-year-old was preparing to set off with four generations of her family for a trip to Turkey, where special occasions would include a 10th wedding anniversary and an eighth birthday party for great-grandson Noah Clarey.
The family, who are from Durham, often enjoy trips away to Turkey together, generally visiting Hisaronu and were looking forward to going back to their favourite restaurant, as well as a few more adventures.
Tina said: "It's lovely to be going back. We've been coming to Turkey for the last 20 years and I did miss it. I missed going paragliding - I was 71 when I started and I've done it three times since! I've been warned off paragliding this time, but we will be relaxing on the beach."
With tens of thousands of people set to stream through the airport, this week is set to be a busy one for staff.
Leon McQuaid, director of Aviation Development said: “Everyone here at Newcastle International Airport is preparing for the busiest half-term we’ve seen in a number of years, with over 160,000 passengers expected to travel to a choice of over 80 direct destinations and 100s more via our hub network.
“So far this summer, we have welcomed 12 new routes from Ryanair, including Milan, Riga, Zadar and Chania, a huge range of holiday destinations from Jet2.com and TUI and an abundance of choice thanks to all of our 16 airline partners.
“Having recently celebrated our one million passenger milestone for 2022, with most of these passengers travelling through airport security within six minutes, we look forward to welcoming even more passengers back to the north east’s largest airport.”
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