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Newcastle Airport has officially opened its new terminal after two years of construction.
The international terminal, which expands the airport to eight gates including its first aerobridge, will more than double Newcastle’s capacity and allow for more international traffic, including an upcoming Jetstar service to Bali.
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The airport currently serves around 1.3 million passengers per year, forecast to grow to 2.6 million by 2036, with capacity for around five million. Linc Horton, chief executive of the airport, said it is expected to deliver $12.7 billion in economic benefit over the next 20 years.
“We commenced direct flights to Perth earlier this month, have direct flights to Bali commencing on the 21st of October, and are working on more exciting routes for our region,” he said.
“Our region’s new international terminal is a legacy asset built today for the decades to come; for our shareholder councils, Port Stephens and City of Newcastle, for our communities, for the State of New South Wales and for the Federal Government whose investment in us is an investment in our region’s future.
“This terminal is a physical representation of our commitment to delivering the airport our region deserves connecting the people of the Hunter to the world and creating new pathways for trade, tourism and economic development.”
The full opening of the terminal on Thursday, which was attended by approximately 300 passengers and guests, was accompanied by a RAAF flyby, and follows the opening of the arrivals hall to domestic passengers in July.
Its first permanent international route, a Jetstar service operating three times per week to Bali, will commence on 21 October using the low-cost carrier’s A321neo LR fleet, reducing the need for Hunter Region residents to travel to Sydney for Bali flights.
“We’re thrilled to be the airline to launch Newcastle’s first international flights in more than five years with our new direct service from Newcastle to Bali,” Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully said in June.
“Jetstar is committed to making travel more accessible, and people living in and around Newcastle will no longer need to drive to other airports to fly overseas, which means more time and money can go toward their holiday.
“We want to thank Newcastle Airport and the NSW government for their support in making travel more accessible.”
The NSW government last year signed a memorandum of understanding with Newcastle Airport for two years of funding from the state’s Aviation Attraction Fund after the commencement of new routes, to entice carriers to launch services.
The airport previously signalled it could host daily international flights, including to New Zealand and Singapore, once the upgrades were complete.
