Airport News

Newcastle International Airport today (25 July) unveiled a new Masterplan that includes proposals to extend its terminal, build additional long stay car parks and carry additional aircraft by 2030.

The airport predicts passenger numbers will grow from 4.4 million in 2012 up to 8.5 million by 2030. Newcastle also predicts aircraft movements will increase in this time, from 62,200 in 2012 up to 87,500 by 2030.

Dave Laws, chief executive of Newcastle Airport, said, "Our aim is to be the UK’s most welcoming airport. As part of this aim we want to provide an improved airport, to encourage new routes and attract new customers. To do this we need to develop additional infrastructure, such as improvements to the terminal, better car parking and access and the development of the southside, which will help diversify the airport business and secure new income sources."

Newcastle anticipates the airport will contribute £1.3bn to the regional economy by 2030 and support up to 10,000 jobs across the region by this time.

“We want to help our neighbours and the wider North East region understand how the airport will grow in the future. We also want to demonstrate that we have carefully considered the local impacts our plans could have including on the community, the environment and local roads. We’ve launched a consultation process in order to hear everyone’s view on our plans, and once all the responses have been reviewed we will consider whether any changes need to be made,” Laws added.

The Masterplan is the third document produced by the Airport Company, a public–private partnership between seven local authorities in the North East region and AMP Capital. The first Masterplan covered the period 1994-2006, and the second covered 2003-2016. The new plan replaces the previous versions and seeks to provide an overview of possible development through to 2030.

Newcastle currently serves 74 destinations and is North East England’s major airport.