Quota restrictions mean local trawler crews can only fish a certain amount of stock.

Now up to 40 tons of fish a week is being airlifted from Iceland for processing in Grimsby and Humber.

The produce will be carried on an Icelandair Boeing 757 twice a week.

UK fish

The two primary importers will be Young's Bluecrest, which suppliers Sainsbury's, and Sealord, supplier to Waitrose.

Keith Brown, trading director of Sealord, said: "We use UK fish where possible and support a number of fisheries both locally and nationally.

"We are unable, however, to solely use UK fish as the North Sea in particular has suffered directly these past few years in terms of quota reductions."

Some 50% of the UK's fish imports by air are destined for the region, but previously have been flown to Heathrow or Edinburgh.

Mike Park, deputy chief executive of Young's Bluecrest, said: "Using Humberside Airport adds further speed to the supply chain.

"It should prove to be a big benefit to Grimsby as a whole, where thousands of people still rely upon the seafood processing industry."

Humberside Airport director Robert Goldsmith added: "It really makes sense to have this kind of operation, given the scale of the food processing industry within the area."