History of Newcastle Airport

1947 - 1948

First passenger flight lands at Newcastle Airport. The first flight was a Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) flight, using a DC-3 aircraft.

Scheduled flights from Newcastle Airport commence.
 

1950 – 1960s

Services begin to grow.
 

1970 – 1980s

Masling Airlines and Air New South Wales operate flights from Newcastle Airport.

Newcastle Airport starts to become known as a major regional airport.

1990s

In 1993 Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Council begin to jointly operate Newcastle Airport.

Newcastle Airport is serviced by Eastern Australian Airlines (part of Qantas) and Impulse Airlines.

In 1996 Newcastle Airport undergoes a terminal expansion.

2000s

In 2003, Brindabella Airlines (28 April) and Virgin Blue (1 November) commence flights from Newcastle Airport.

One year later on 25 May 2004, Jetstar also starts flying from Newcastle Airport. It was Jetstar’s very first flight ever.

On 2 April 2005, Aeropelican moved from Belmont Airport to Newcastle Airport.

Also in 2005, Newcastle Airport completed an $8.25 million terminal expansion, which doubled its size. In this year Newcastle Airport was awarded the title ‘Regional Airport of the Year’.

In 2006, Jetstar chose Newcastle Airport as the base for its aircraft maintenance hangar.

In 2007, Norfolk Air introduced flights to Norfolk Island. 2007 was also the year that a record 1 million passengers used the airport in a year. 

In 2008, Newcastle Airport completed a major expansion of the apron.

Further terminal and car park expansions were completed in 2009, with more work to develop Newcastle Airport planned.