Airline operator Jet2 is creating around 60 new jobs at Newcastle International Airport after ramping up operations.

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays is preparing for its biggest ever summer operation at the airport, where it now has eight aircraft based on site with plans to increase to nine during the peak summer season. The airline and tour operator aims to improve the customer experience by bringing it ramp-handling operations, which includes baggage handling, in-house.

The company says around 60 roles are available as a result of the in-house investment, taking its total Tyneside workforce to 700 workers. Jet2 is introducing a ramp-handling team including ramp agents and baggage loaders, who will work as part of the ground operations team to ensure flights depart safely and on time.

As a result of the investment Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has brought operations in-house at Bristol, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and London Stansted Airports, as well as Newcastle.

The leisure airline has 36 sun and city destinations for travellers this summer – including the addition of Verona, to open up the Lake Garda region – with more than 1.2 million seats on sale, operating up to 125 weekly flights during peak periods from the base.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “The reason we are a multiple award- winning airline and tour operator is because provide an industry-leading experience for our customers and continually look for ways to improve that even further.

Today’s announcement represents a significant investment in our Newcastle Airport operation, and we know it will deliver an even better end-to-end experience for our customers.

We are looking forward to operating a huge summer programme from Newcastle Airport this year, and we are absolutely delighted at the response that our fantastic product continues to get from customers and independent travel agents across the North East.”