The revamped Newcastle Airport will be officially opened on Friday after an $80 million expansion.
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Newcastle Airport’s terminal expansion has been a work in progress for 12 months and brings the airport a step closer to offering international flights.
The opening of the new arrivals hall in February marked the completion of stage one of the project,
Stage two of the redevelopment has now wrapped up and the result is a split terminal with dedicated arrival and departure areas.
The overall footprint of the airport is 50 per cent bigger and now has the capacity to increase domestic passenger flow to a potential five million annually, as well as provide infrastructure to allow for international flights.
The terminal was fitted with a new arrivals hall including permanent customs, immigration and quarantine areas.
Passengers can already check in at Newcastle Airport for international flights with Etihad, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines.
Former Newcastle Airport CEO Paul Hughes, who drove the expansion project, told the Mercury that flights to New Zealand would be the initial aim once the airport was setup for international capabilities.
The expansion also opens up the possibility for future routes to Adelaide, Perth, Cairns, as well as international services to South East Asia.
Passengers will also have more choice with six new food and beverage outlets opened.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald, will be at the opening, as well as Mayor of Maitland Cr Peter Blackmore.
Cr Blackmore is also the chair of the Hunter Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) Advisory board, which provided some of the money for the project.
“I believe as there is growth there will be more of a need,” Cr Blackmore said.
“Let’s not stop there.
“The more flights, the more passengers, also means more jobs.
“It is great news for the area.”