iscover
The firm has completed a $30 million Qantas- and Airbus-backed funding round alongside securing the development approval for the landmark project, and has also won the support of global energy and manufacturing company Posco International as a strategic investor.
Set to arrive over four years from 2028, the new aircraft – replacing the existing King Air 200 fleet – will be fitted out with a bespoke Aeromedical Mission System (AMS) from Sunshine Coast-based company HeliMods.
Opening on 6 October, the free drop-off zone on level 3 of the T123 transport hub will provide “significantly more space” than the current departures ramp, which is prone to congestion, while the free level 2 pick-up zone will offer around 100 undercover parking spaces close to toilets.
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.
VH-ZPN was preparing to depart for Broken Hill on 8 October 2025 with two flight crew, one cabin crew, and 23 passengers on board when its left engine failed during the take-off roll. As it was before the V1 decision speed, the pilots opted to abort the take-off and taxied off the runway.
The airport joins Perth as one of the only two Australian airports to receive accreditation under the Airport Council International’s (ACI) Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation Program, which helps recognise and facilitate efforts to improve accessibility for disabled passengers.
PROFILES
Raising the Bar in Commercial Laundry: How Rinse & Repeat Is Redefining Service for Aviation
Raising the Bar in Commercial Laundry: How Rinse & Repeat Is Redefining Service for Aviation
UPRT Australia- Transforming Aviation’s Greatest Risk into Its Greatest Asset
UPRT Australia- Transforming Aviation’s Greatest Risk into Its Greatest Asset
