New seasonal flights have been announced to link the island to an airport in the northeast of England.

Eastern Airways is to launch a route from Ronaldsway to Teesside in May, when the TT festival begins.

The direct flights, which will start from May 30 from Darlington, will make it easier for TT fans to reach the island to catch the sport in action. The motorcycling event falls on May 30 to June 12 this year.

The Isle of Man is one of six new destinations that will be bookable at the Teesside airport.

Tony Burgess, managing director of Eastern Airways, said: ’We’re delighted to now be strengthening our ties with the airport and branching out to bring enhanced connectivity to some new city destinations for business and leisure travellers.

’I’m sure these flights will be popular and we are continuing to look at how we can further develop our network for all regions.’

All flights will be on sale from Flybe with one-way fares from £69.99 including taxes and charges.

Passengers from the Isle of Man have had fewer choices over the past few years.

Manx2 once offered flights to Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford, the closest big passenger airports to Teesside.

Now the only airports in the north of England that have regular services from Ronaldway at Manchester and Liverpool.