After a business trip to Ireland these last two days, Stephen Bates was very impressed with the service and efficiency of getting back to Newcastle through Newcastle Airport. Stephen Bates said "having been working in Ireland for the last couple of days, it is great to get back to Newcastle. And whilst the airport is in my Newcastle North constituency politically, I am reminded when using it professionally, what a first rate service it is. The airport and its associated business and leisure activities, are very much at the heart of our continued economic development in the North East. My super-easy Metro journey back into town - even on a Friday night - also reminds me how important infrastructre is for our continued economic recovery in the North East. I think, deep down, everyone knows this can only truly be maintained and developed under competent Conservative administration".