Last week, the Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison visited our region to announce $66million in funding to upgrade the runway at Williamtown. These works are a critical step in enabling long range aircraft to fly directly to and from Newcastle Airport.
In practical terms, this means your local airport will be able to fly directly to Singapore, hubs in the Middle East and even the United States. Travel in each direction will be much easier, effectively moving us closer to the rest of the world.
The airfield works will commence in August this year and be completed in 2023. Works are also required to increase the capacity of the Airport terminal and are also due for completion in 2023.
In addition to making travel easier for locals, the runway upgrade will stimulate more international visitors. A range of businesses will benefit through greater connectivity, increased tourism and better access to airfreight. All in all, we expect over 4,000 full-time permanent jobs to be created.
Huge achievements like this are never the efforts of just one organisation. This success has had many contributors, in fact, individuals and businesses from across the entire breadth of our region have contributed in one way or another. A special mention must go to our shareholders, the City of Newcastle and Port Stephens Council.
Above all, it is our customers, the people of this region who deserve our gratitude. The speed and confidence that you have returned to our airport after the COVID-19 closures has blown us away. And your support of our new and existing services inspires us every day to do just that bit more.
We exist to be the airport the region deserves. And you deserve the world at your doorstep.
Thank you.
Dr Peter Cock
Chief Executive Officer
Kirby Clark
Chair