Newcastle Airport gets 13 extra flights for Sunderland AFC fans to go to Europe

Newcastle International Airport will add 13 extra direct flights to help Sunderland AFC fans travel to Europe after the club’s first European campaign in 53 years began with a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League at the Stadium of Light. The opening away match is set for October 15 against Torreense, played in Leiria because Torre Vedras’ 2,500-capacity stadium doesn’t meet UEFA requirements. Fans can fly direct to Lisbon on easyJet and to Porto on Jet2.com. Sunderland then visit Lech Poznan in Poland on October 22 with a direct charter via WorldChoice Sports. Other routes include Ryanair services to Gdansk or Wroclaw, with onward rail and road to Poznan. The campaign highlight is December 10 at AC Milan’s San Siro: easyJet flies to Milan Malpensa and Ryanair to Milan Bergamo. Sunderland also faces Anderlecht on January 21 with flights to Brussels on easyJet or Brussels Charleroi on Ryanair. Newcastle said it coordinated with airline partners and ATOL-protected tour operators to secure the added capacity.