Indeed, Newcastle's strongest point is charter flights, however charter carriers are becoming loco carriers, for example, thomsonfly with 2 757 a/c for charter flights and a 737-300 for loco flights to charter destinations. XLA also do a very similar thing, through the XL.com brand on all their services.
Growth, however is still strong, with TOM and their extra flights, XLA with 2 based a/c (same as last year, but a couple of extra flights), flyjet based 757, which is rumoured to be permanent. If this is the case then what flights could they operate during the winter, as NCL has a substantially reduced charter programme Nov to March.
And I absolutely agree that a couple of long haul destinations should be introduced and would do quite well, the Geordies are getting adventurous and are tiring of Benidorm and Magalluff!!