Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays helped staff check-in as they flew off to their annual overseas retail conference in Turkey.
She was on hand at Newcastle airport as branch managers from the northeast and Sunderland head office staff set off for Antalya on Monday morning.
The Newcastle flight was one of four specially chartered Jet2holidays aircraft carrying the agency’s staff to the event, with flights also leaving from Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol airports.
More than 700 delegates are due to attend the conference at the Ela Excellence Resort Belek, undef the theme ‘In it for the long haul’.
Dame Irene said: “Our overseas conference is a highlight of the year – it’s when we can connect with our branch managers from across the UK all under one roof, to thank them for their excellent work caring for our customers, and to help everyone to prepare for January, when so many of our customers plan their summer 2025 holiday.
“I am very grateful to Jet2holidays for their amazing support, and to the whole team at Newcastle international airport – as well as Birmingham, Bristol, and Manchester international airports – for being so welcoming and accommodating.
Newcastle airport aviation sales manager Laura Hartshornesaid: “We place huge value in our long-running partnership with Hays Travel and it was fantastic to showcase our exciting new airport developments, such as our next generation security search area and brand-new catering outlets, to the retail managers, senior leadership team and suppliers ahead of their trip.”