New York is hoping to attract the UK low-cost airlines to fly to the new airport it has purchased just 60 miles north of the city. If low-cost airlines were to start flying over the Atlantic, city break in New York would become far more affordable.

The Port Authority of New York has purchased the Stewart International airport hoping that getting airlines to land there would ease the pressure on JFK. The airport currently handles mainly domestic flights but has immigration facilities ready. There are also plans to open a new terminal and train station.

Colin Smith, the port authority’s regional director for Europe, said: “We have had discussions with operators this side of the Atlantic suggesting that this is not a bad model for them.”

Smith is hoping the airport will be ready to accommodate transatlantic flights in summer 2008.