The carrier announced yesterday (August 10) that its last service from Newcastle would depart on September 6.

Explaining its decision, the airline said it believed the route was "not profitable" and predicted an "impact of the weaker pound in UK outbound travel", the BBC reports.

Since Britain’s vote to leave the EU in June, the pound has lost more than 13% of its value against the dollar.

United Airlines has operated the services between Newcastle and Newark Liberty International airport in the US city six times a week for the previous two summers.

A spokesperson for United Airlines said: "We have regretfully taken this decision because this seasonal route has not proved to be profitable and because of the anticipated impact of the weaker pound on UK outbound travel."

Reacting to the news, Newcastle airport said the decision by the airline was "disappointing" but added that United Airlines’ move did not reflect the increasing passenger numbers from the north-east terminal after new routes had recently been agreed to Berlin and Warsaw with other airlines.

Iain Malcolm, chairman of the combined authority of seven north-east councils, LA7, said: "This is disappointing news. The region pulled together magnificently to secure a New York service and we have all worked extremely hard to make it work.

"While it is a blow to lose the service, especially given that numbers were up, the reasons are understandable."