Newcastle Airport Partners With Destination NSW To Attract New Domestic And International Routes

The memorandum of understanding provides Newcastle Airport, which is currently undergoing a $250 million upgrade, with funding from the state’s Aviation Attraction Fund (AAF) for two years following the launch of new routes.

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham commented, “The international terminal upgrade at Newcastle Airport will be a significant boost for tourism in the Hunter and Mid-North Coast regions. It will also reinforce NSW as the top gateway to Australia.”

“The government is committed to supporting the people of Newcastle in fully leveraging the opportunities presented by the international terminal upgrade,” said NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham.

“This MOU offers financial certainty to Newcastle Airport, enabling it to attract new international and domestic airline services. This will aid in the recovery of aviation jobs and provide a substantial boost to the local visitor economy.”

The NSW government anticipates that the upgrade will attract an additional 850,000 passengers annually, contributing $6.2 billion to the local visitor economy and generating $6.5 billion in additional freight over the next 20 years. The MoU will assist the airport, jointly owned by the City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council, in securing new agreements with airlines for both international and domestic routes. For those visiting, there are a range of furnished apartments in Newcastle available, offering a comfortable and convenient stay while the city prepares for increased international travel.

Airport CEO Dr. Peter Cock described the initial round of funding as “amazing,” highlighting its importance in negotiations to attract new carriers to the “global gateway” set to open with the upgraded international terminal in 2025.

“Securing new destinations for our community is crucial. We understand that we are competing with airports across Australia and globally, so we appreciate the NSW Government for providing us with a level playing field,” Cock said.

Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox emphasized that the goal of the MOU is to leverage aviation to deliver “holistic economic benefits to NSW.”

“Destination NSW is dedicated to collaborating with the Hunter community to prepare for and maximize the transformative opportunities presented by the new international terminal and infrastructure upgrades,” Cox said.

Once the upgrades are complete, the airport is expected to accommodate daily international flights, including destinations such as New Zealand and Singapore, with potential services to Perth also on the horizon. Visitors to Perth can look forward to a variety of Perth accommodation options, ranging from luxury hotels to convenient serviced apartments, ensuring a comfortable stay in this vibrant city.