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Newcastle Airport has marked its busiest-ever financial year following the opening of its new international terminal.
The airport, which cut the ribbon on its expanded terminal last year, saw a record 1,300,775 passengers in FY26 – its first time surpassing 1.3 million, and a 10 per cent increase on the previous year. It comes after Newcastle won Airport of the Year at the 2026 Australian Aviation Awards.
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“This record result demonstrates our region’s strong appetite for greater connectivity, with our newly introduced services to Bali, Perth and Hobart continuing to perform exceptionally well,” said Newcastle Airport chair Samantha Martin-Williams.
“The new Denpasar (Bali), Perth and Hobart routes contributed more than 94,000 additional passenger movements during the year.
“This demonstrates the outstanding results that can be achieved for the Hunter when airlines, governments and communities work together to deliver the services our region has been calling for.”
According to Martin-Williams, the airport has continued the trend into the 2027 financial year, with 112,689 passengers travelling through Newcastle Airport in July.
“It was our busiest July on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2017 and giving us a strong start to what promises to be another big year for the airport and our region,” she said.
“This is a regional growth story of national significance. Better air connectivity brings more visitors and investment into the region, creating and connecting jobs with new customers, talent and suppliers locally and overseas. It also helps regional businesses and growing markets.
“It backs the status of the Hunter as a global tourism, trade, defence industry and advanced manufacturing centre. It strengthens regional NSW as a place to invest, grow and do business.”
Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton noted the airport’s wins over the past year, including the opening of the international terminal and the commencement of four new routes.
“Every new route we’ve introduced has been met with overwhelming support from the community, demonstrating the strength of demand that exists across our region and providing a strong case for additional services,” he said.
“The region’s appetite for travel has never been stronger and as additional airline capacity comes online, we expect to unlock even greater opportunities for tourism, trade, investment and jobs across the Hunter.
“We will continue to build on this record year and be the airport our region deserves. Our immediate route aspirations include Fiji and Auckland; however, we are actively pursuing a number of additional destinations as part of our long-term connectivity strategy for the region.”
Newcastle’s new terminal also made it the first airport in Australia to receive Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4+.
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