Newcastle Airport opens additional flights for Sunderland fans travelling to Europe
Written by Tom Miller on 22nd September 2026
Following Sunderland AFC’s first European win in 53 years over AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light, excitement is building ahead of trips across the continent.
The lads will be backed by supporters visiting Portugal, Poland, Italy and Belgium. Therefore, 13 additional flights have been made available from Newcastle Airport.
The first adventure takes place on the 15 October against Torreense. As their usual home stadium does not meet UEFA requirements, the game will instead be played in Leiria which is situated between Porto and Benfica. The red and white army will then make the trip to Poznan.
The Mackems will descend on Milan and the iconic San Siro as they face AC on the 10 December. Fans have the option of two direct flights to Milan Bergamo or Milan Malpensa. Sunderland AFC round off their league phase trips with a short visit to Brussels to face Anderlecht.
Sunderland Echo interviewed Chris Ion, Head of Aviation Development at Newcastle Airport to collect his thoughts surrounding the additional flights becoming available: “Sunderland’s return to Europe for the first time since 1973 is an incredibly exciting moment for the club, it’s supporters and us here at Newcastle Airport.
”We are proud to have worked with our airline partners and trusted ATOL-protected tour operators to secure 13 additional flights”.
Nick Mills, Sunderland supporter and Ramp Agent at Newcastle International Airport: “I think that seeing our supporters at the airport will build more excitement as the anticipation has been massive.
“Some of the flights for me as a ramp agent will be especially busy, specifically the ones going to Milan and Portugal.
“I believe that there will need to be additional police and security on the days that Sunderland are playing, there could be some concerns if fans are drinking before boarding the flights”.
Mick, a Sunderland supporter who last watched Sunderland play in Europe 53 years ago, said: “The extra flights have had a positive impact because they allow more deserving fans to attend the matches.
“I like to call it Ponteland Airport rather than Newcastle Airport. The rise has been amazing, I have already witnessed this in my lifetime but I did not think that it would happen again.”
Flight times from Newcastle International Airport:
Porto – 2 hours 40 minutes
Benfica – 2 hours 51 minutes
Wroclaw – 2 hours 15 minutes
Gdansk – 2 hours 10 minutes
Milan – 2 hours 15 minutes
Brussels – 1 hour 30 minutes
