Region is one step closer to global connectivity

Leaders from Newcastle Airport touched down in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur earlier this month to discuss the region’s international aspirations with key hub airlines.

The opportunity to engage with some of the world’s leading airlines comes on the back of the announcement of $55 million for Newcastle Airport’s expanded international terminal last month.

The new terminal will enable the airport to facilitate larger passenger loads in wide-bodied, long-haul aircraft that are capable of connecting directly into Asia, the United States and the Middle East. These works are due for completion in early 2024.

Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said the purpose of the Southeast Asian visit was to engage with key international airlines to clearly articulate the size of the opportunity represented by our region.

“Our visit to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur brings us closer to delivering on our purpose of being the airport our region deserves,” Dr Cock said.

“We had the opportunity to showcase the size, diversity and economic strength of our region, which is well supported by recent figures regarding strong job growth, low unemployment, and an escalating population growth rate.

“With the required infrastructure now funded we are incredibly excited about the prospect of connecting with a major international hub, which would bring the rest of the world to our doorstep.

“These discussions were an important step in what will be a long program of activity. So whilst we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, I’d like to think the visit puts Newcastle Airport firmly on the path to becoming a global gateway for the region,” Dr Cock said.

Discussions with key trading and aviation partners in Asia and beyond continued at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Sydney this month, with more negotiations to follow at the Routes Asia 2022 conference in Vietnam in early June.

A senior regional delegation which will include industry, business and political support is planned to visit Singapore in late July to demonstrate clear and unified support from the Hunter.

This initiative is an outcome of the Hunter Global Summit held in February where regional leaders came together to discuss ways to capitalise on Newcastle Airport’s impending international capability.