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Newcastle Airport has marked its busiest quarter in history following the opening of its new terminal and the launch of international and expanded domestic services.
Over the months of October to December 2025, a total of 340,778 passengers travelled through the updated terminal, including 111,007 in December alone. The airport now says it is expecting 1.334 million passengers by the end of the 2025-26 financial year.
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“In a case of ‘build it and they will come’, the Hunter is proving that the new terminal and greater connectivity is exactly what the region ordered,” said airport CEO Linc Horton.
“Passenger demand continues to exceed expectations and this record quarter highlights the Hunter’s readiness for more direct international services.
“We have the terminal, the infrastructure and the catchment. To help reach State and Federal tourism objectives, what we need now is strategic partnership from both governments to help unlock the next wave of air connectivity for the Greater Hunter and our extended catchment.”
Newcastle opened its new terminal building in September last year ahead of the launch of its first year-round international route, a Jetstar service to Bali. The airport has also attracted new domestic services including to Hobart and Perth, and is expecting a link to Singapore via Denpasar this year.
According to Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes, these new connections are “redefining” regional air travel and allowing Hunter residents to fly more widely without having to go through Sydney.
“These connections make it easier for local businesses to access new and existing markets and for our community to explore the world from their own backyard,” he said.
“The growth we’re seeing is exactly what the region needs, and the growing passenger numbers through Newcastle Airport has a benefit to local businesses that are active in and service the precinct.
“The growth and development ambitions of the airport are backed by stakeholders across the region and the passenger statistics only add to the confidence we all have for the future.”
The airport has now proposed a five-year, co-funded “Newcastle Airport Accelerated Aviation Growth Fund” to the NSW Government, saying it would unlock an extra one million seats per year into the state.
“Designed to directly support the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 target of 8.5 million new airline seats, the program will accelerate international and domestic connectivity into the Hunter, stimulating visitor growth, regional investment and job creation,” the airport said.
“At the federal level, Newcastle Airport is focusing on supporting the safe and scalable expansion of international operations, supporting Australia’s sovereign capability, looking at sustainability via greener air travel and moving to close the gap in the region’s logistics network.”
The NSW Government last year launched a $12.5 million “NSW Take Off Fund” to support growth in the state’s commercial aviation sector.
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