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Newcastle Airport has appointed an interim CEO to take over from outgoing chief Dr Peter Cock early next year.
Andrew Warrender, currently the airport’s executive manager for aviation and air freight business development, will fill the role being vacated by Cock on 9 January.
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According to Cock, who is leaving after 10 years at the helm of the airport, Warrender is an expert in aviation and route development, with a decade of experience in the industry including at Edinburgh Airport, North Queensland Airports, and Northern Territory Airports.
“When Andrew joined my team in 2022, his enthusiasm for establishing new routes for the region and his dedication to tourism and economic development across regional Australia has been exceptional,” Cock said.
“Being the airport the region deserves is the highest purpose for our business, and the local community should expect nothing less. I leave confident that the airport is in excellent hands with our skilled Board and Andrew leading the way.”
Warrender will take over as Newcastle prepares to open its redeveloped international terminal next year, which was delayed from the end of 2024 but is expected to open in the second quarter of 2025. The final roof beam was placed on the terminal in October, marking a major milestone.
The airport has said it could see daily international flights when the new terminal is up and running, as well as the potential for non-stop services to Perth.
“Our region is looking forward to the new airport terminal to open next year, and so are the airlines,” Warrender said.
“This last Financial Year saw our highest annual passenger numbers in the last five years indicating high passenger confidence in our airport and in travel for our region.
“Our Astra Aerolab Property Precinct and major property aspirations will also remain a strong focus.”
Newcastle Airport at the end of October denied that it was in financial trouble due to cost overruns on the new terminal and the Astra Aerolab precinct, coupled with declining passenger numbers due in part to the collapse of Bonza earlier this year.
The airport also signed a memorandum of understanding with the NSW government this year which will see it given funding from the state’s Aviation Attraction Fund (AAF) to attract and maintain new routes.
The state government expects Newcastle Airport’s $250 million upgrade to bring in 850,000 additional passengers per year, generating $6.2 billion in the visitor economy as well as $6.5 billion in additional freight over the next 20 years.
