Newquay has surpassed all our expectations, with more than 10,000 seats sold already

Tim Jeans, Ryanair

Twelve jobs have been created at Newquay's airport to cope with the demand with the prospect of more if the service grows further.

The low fares are seen as making Cornwall a realistic destination for weekend breaks - but there are fears it could push up house prices too.

The number of cottages used as second homes has already pushed house prices beyond the reach of many local people.

Weekenders 'vital'

North Cornwall MP Paul Tyler has been campaigning for measures to deter weekenders from buying into the area, including an end to council tax reductions.

In picturesque Port Isaac, half an hour up the north Cornwall coast, the majority of homes in the heart of the village are owned by holiday visitors.

Newquay airport is stepping up a gear

But celebrity chef Rick Stein, who has three restaurants in Padstow, Cornwall, is among those who say that weekenders keep the economy alive.

And Will Ashworth, who runs the Watergate Beach Hotel at Newquay, said the flights could bring benefits across the local economy.

People leaving from Stansted at 1600 BST - the time of Thursday's debut flight - could be on the beach 90 minutes later.

"It opens up Watergate Bay to young professionals who have to live in the cities," said Mr Ashworth.

Business prospect

"It's a lifestyle venue where you can blow away the cobwebs.

"It's very good for the economy, it's very good for employment and I hope everybody will benefit - mostly in tourism but other businesses as well."

A dozen airport jobs have been created

Most of the custom for the new service was expected to come from London, but it was also seen as helping to make Cornwall a viable place to run a business.

Tim Jeans, Ryanair's director of sales and marketing, said: "Newquay has surpassed all our expectations, with more than 10,000 seats sold already."

The company also launched services from Stansted to Rome, Milan, Montpellier in France, Graz in Austria, Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

It brought the number of destinations Ryanair served from Stansted to 41.