Norwich International Airport has moved a step closer to launching four new flights.

The transport hub has been told that proposed routes from Norwich to Paris, Dublin, Newcastle and Exeter are all being considered for cash grants from the Department for Transport's Regional Air Connectivity Fund.

If successful, the airport will receive enough money to support the flights for three years.

A proposed flight between the City of Derry and Dublin – put forward by the airport's owner, Regional and City Airports – is also being considered for funding.

Andrew Bell, chief executive of the Norwich airport, said: 'We are delighted that RCA has five out of the 15 live applications put through to the next stage for consideration for government support as part of the Regional Air Connectivity Fund.

'Regional airports like the ones we own and manage play a critical role, not only in their regional economies but also from a wider national perspective in connecting parts of the UK as well as providing important options for international travel.'

The fund is open to new routes at regional airports which handle fewer than five million passengers a year. Ten other proposed flight paths from regional airports across the country are also vying for cash grants.

Chancellor George Osborne said: 'We're determined to build a one nation economy, where all parts of the UK are growing and connected.

'That's why we support new regional air routes. Further funding for brand new routes will support many more businesses and individuals across UK regions as part of our rural productivity plan.

'This is a great deal for taxpayers too – the existing Newquay-London route, supported by the fund, delivers benefits to the economy of nearly three pounds for every pound invested.'