NEWCASTLE AIRPORT – Fiji and New Zealand Next On List for Airport Boss

 Newcastle Airport has announced Jetstar will provide a service to Singapore’s Changi Airport via a 90-minute layover in Bali.

Jetstar will start the fourth service to Bali from March 29 next year.

But Airport CEO Linc Horton wants Fiji and New Zealand to be added to the list of international flights.

He says it’s next on the agenda.

“We’re super keen to keep pursuing New Zealand and Fiji [because] they are great environments for people for the Hunter to visit for friends and family and business.

“They also have that one-stop effect into the U.S. So, if if we can unlock both Fiji and New Zealand, again, it just creates more opportunities for the Hunter to visit the world,” he said.

Credit: Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport Now Offering Business Class Experience on Boeing 717 Flights to Brisbane

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

Hunter residents will now be able to fly business class aboard a Qantas Boeing 717 from Newcastle to Brisbane. 

The two-class aircraft which has a capacity of 110 seats, 12 of which are business class touched down from the Sunshine State at Newcastle airport on Monday. 

The new planes fly to the northern Capital in 15-minutes less time than previously used Dash 8 Q400 aircraft which hold approximately 75 passengers. 

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock says the aircraft upgrade is a credit to the people of the region who have always strongly supported air travel to Brisbane.

“As Northern NSW’s primary gateway to QLD we are seeing passenger demand driving an increase in flight frequency and capacity into South East Queensland, he said.

“We certainly welcome Qantas’ decision to operate the 717 aircraft and look forward to further expansion of services on all our routes.”

QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the additional seats would support the growing demand for travel between Newcastle and Brisbane.

“Qantas is now close to offering the same number of seats on this route as we did before COVID-19, which is fantastic for businesses in the region.

Flights will operate double daily with a mix of 717 and Q400 aircraft.

Flights on the 717's will be daily, in the afternoon, building to twice daily as demand increases.

Image Credit: Aviation Australia 

First Flight Touching Down at Newcastle Airport from The Sunshine State

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Newcastle Airport is welcoming the regions first visitors from Brisbane following the opening of the Queensland border on Tuesday morning. 

Qantas flight QF242 arrived at the airport at midday, before departing on its return journey at 12:25pm.

Newcastle Airport CEO Peter Cock said airlines are ramping up their schedules as demand quickly builds.

“We know our region loves to fly. Recent polling has told us people from our region were twice as likely to be actively planning their next holiday as the Australian average.”

“As Northern NSW’s primary gateway to QLD we are seeing passenger demand driving an increase in flight frequency. This also includes many Queenslanders coming to enjoy what our region has to offer and reunite with family and friends,” he said.

“We are working closely with all our airline partners to help connect our region with Queensland and ensure we help meet the needs of our community.”

“There’s certainly a feeling of enthusiasm in the air as our operation teams, flight and ground crews, security, hospitality and retail staff, prepare to welcome passengers through the terminal.”

Flight schedules as of yesterday;

• Jetstar is flying between Brisbane and Newcastle daily
• Qantas has increased flights between Brisbane and Newcastle to once daily
• Jetstar is flying between the Gold Coast and Newcastle from Friday 6 November, four times per week.
• Virgin Australia is flying between Brisbane and Newcastle 6 days per week, from Monday 9 November 

New Direct Flights Connecting Newcastle with Lord Howe Island

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Newcastle airport will soon be offering direct flights between the Hunter region and World Heritage site, Lord Howe Island. 

From November 14, Port Macquarie based airline, Eastern Air Services will be operating direct services on a 10-seat Beechcraft B200 aircraft providing the region with what Newcastle Airport says is "an ideal opportunity to experience an ‘overseas’ holiday whilst staying within the jurisdiction of NSW."

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said he was buoyed by the growing optimism in the aviation industry and excited about the ability of the airport to help connect its region with one of the most beautiful places on earth.

“With domestic borders starting to open, I think we’ll see strong demand for leisure travel within Australia in the coming weeks,” he said.

“We know our customers are keen to fly and with international travel still some way off, we feel the people of our region deserve a range of exciting and unique holiday options. The eco-tourism experience at this World Heritage island certainly fits that category.”

“Importantly, an opportunity also exists for our region to provide direct support to Lord Howe Island residents, acting as the key service centre for the Island providing medical, retail, and other services to the population,” said Dr Cock. 

Also speaking today, CEO of Eastern Air Services Christian Corse said he was very excited about the new opportunity.  

“Lord Howe Island is incredibly popular with the people of the Central Coast, Hunter and Mid North Coast, so we expect this service to grow quickly,” he said.

With a flight time of just under 2-hours, the schedule will commence on Saturday, 14 November with one service a week, initially, on a Saturday.

Frequency will increase with demand over the peak summer months and as awareness of the service increases. People can book now on the Eastern Air Services website or via their local travel agent.

Image: Lord Howe Island Info

New Direct Flights Between Newcastle and Canberra

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Newcastle Airport has announced a new direct service between Canberra and Newcastle, commencing November 20. 

The service will be operated by Canberra based airline Link Airways who will fly 34-seater Saab 340B Plus aircraft with a flight time of just 60-minutes to the ACT.

The service will commence with four return services per week, initially with the aim of building the schedule to 11 return services per week in 2021.

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock says the service will offer the region greater choice and flexibility on a route which supports vital government, defence and business connections.

“At a time when we can see some hope on the horizon for the aviation industry, this is great news for both regions,” he said. 

“Our Airport is surrounded by the largest regional economy in the country with a catchment that has a high propensity to travel. The ACT is also on a strong growth trajectory, so it’s not surprising that we now have two airlines servicing this route as we do to other major capitals.”

“We look forward to working with Link Airways and all of our partner airlines to re-build connections between our region and the rest of the country in the coming weeks and months.”

CEO of Link Airways Andrew Major said the airline is very proud to be able to offer these new services which will greatly enhance connectivity between Canberra and Newcastle.

“We receive numerous approaches from parties that travel regularly between Canberra and Newcastle seeking additional capacity and a larger range of fares on the route."

 All-inclusive Deal fares are available now for $149 one-way and can be booked through linkairways.com. 

The schedule allows for weekend stays in addition to the opportunity to spend a full business day at their destination and return home that same afternoon.

Williamtown Special Activation Precinct to Create Jobs, Millions of Dollars, And Possible Life Life for Red Zone Residents

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A brand new national and international defence and aerospace hub will be established in Williamtown as part of the State Government's $1 billion investment plan for regional NSW.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro visited the area this morning, announcing Williamtown as the next Special Activation Precinct in NSW, following areas such as Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree, and the Snowy Mountains,

Together, the five precincts are expected to create more than 15,000 jobs in regional industries such as freight and logistics, agriculture, defense, tourism, and renewable energy.

Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Chris Doohan says the project will guide the region for the next few decades, and with an emphasis on advanced manufacturing and aerospace, it could provide a fantastic opportunity for future generations to get involved in STEM careers.

"There's probably jobs out there that haven't even been invented yet that will probably happen in this area," said Cr Doohan. "It's a very bright looking future for Port Stephens and for the Willamtown area."

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the project will involve extensive consultation with businesses, councils, and the local community.

The NSW Government will also explore a 10,000 hectare space around Newcastle Airport and the Port Stephens local government area - and for families and property owners with land in the PFAS contamination zone, Cr Doohan suggests this project could provide a way out.

"Today's announcement could certainly support them in buying out those properties," said Cr Doohan.

"If this grows to a bigger and better thing, who knows how many more people could be supported with buybacks to their properties in that areas."

"I certainly gave Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, a reminder that was a major issue in this area, and if this was the start of a means of an end to a solution for these people".

"He was very interested to take this conversation further going forward."

Image credit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/williamtownsap