7:25AM, Thu Jun 28, 2012

North East Kids Fly For First Time On Jet2 And Newcastle Airport Jubilee Flight

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Newcastle

Kids treated to first-time flying experience to celebrate Jubilee

Children from the North East have been taken on an exclusive flight from Newcastle Airport in celebration of the Queen's jubilee.

Organised by both the airport and Jet2, over 100 youngsters - many of whom had never flown before - were given a sky-high tour of the region.

Children from Walbottle Village, Bede Community, Dame Dorothy and Durham Village primary schools were invited on board.

Attendees also included kids from North Tyneside Carers Centre and looked after children from Northumberland and South Tyneside.

Departing towards County Durham, the passengers were taken up the North East coastline and over the Quayside, before returning to the airport via Northumberland.

Unfortunately the view was mostly obscured by bad weather and low clouds, but it did not spoil the event for the children who remained in high spirits.

Vice Lord Lieutenant Mr Freddy Hoult joined the kids for the jubilee flight, giving a short speech at the end.

Jet2 Chief Executive Philip Meeson said: "It's easy to take flying for granted, but today was all about giving the kids a great experience in this special year."