The Secret is out... Newcastle Airport Starting Direct Flights to Adelaide

BY JESSICA ROUSE AND TYLER FARDELL

The secret is out, Newcastle Airport are starting direct flights to Adelaide.

FlyPelican based at the airport will be running a two-hour direct flight three times a week from Newcastle Airport straight to Adelaide three times a week.

The services will include a Tuesday flight departing at 9:50am, a Wednesday 6:35pm and a Friday 7:50pm service.

The airfares start from just $249 and flights will start in March this year.

FlyPelican CEO Paul Graham said they're very excited to be expanding the network and giving travellers more choice.

"I've been in the aviation scene in the Hunter for 20 years. In those 20 years I've ever heard of such a demand for one particular destination and that's Newcastle to Adelaide direct,"

"We will be operating the service with a 100 seat Fokker and 80 seat Fokker aircraft starting with three return services per week with Tuesday morning, Wednesday afternoon and Friday afternoon services and hopefully we're looking at pulling in Sunday services very quickly," said Paul Graham.

It comes on the back of years of rapid growth for the airport, which has seen a consecutive monthly increase of passengers travelling through the airport year-on-year since November 2015.

UPDATES: Tomago bushfire at EMERGENCY level once again

BY JESSICA ROUSE

For the latest update Monday 15th January: Masonite Road Fire updates

UPDATE 7:30PM

Thanks to some easing conditions on the fire ground, crews are gaining the upper hand so the bushfire at Tomago has been downgraded from EMERGENCY to WATCH AND ACT.

It's still labelled as being OUT OF CONTROL.

The blaze continues to burn to the north of Newcastle Airport in the vicinity of Wade Close, Campvale, Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive and Medowie Road. Residents are being advised to continue to monitor the situation and take the advice from firefighters on the ground.

Strong southerly winds are expected to continue through the night pushing the blaze north.

Residents in the area are being advised to make sure they have a Bush Fire Survival Plan in place and know how to use it if necessary.


UPDATE 6:50PM

The Rural Fire Service has just issued an EMERGENCY WARNING to residents on Masonite Road. Fire crews are on the ground working to protect homes and the Very Large Air Tanker 'Nancy Bird' is helping crews as well to slow the spread of the blaze.

The fire is also being fought close to homes in Wade Close as the fire continues to burn north fanned by southerly winds.

The latest advice from the RFS at 6:26pm:

"Monitor conditions in your area.

Residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale, are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.

Residents in the vicinity of Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace, are advised to continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground."

Emergency Warning: Masonite Rd, Tomago fire. Linescan image displays active area of fire. The image shows the fire has reached the area near Wade Cl, Campvale. Firefighters in position to protect homes & Very Large Air Tanker is working on fire front to slow its spread. #NSWRFS

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 14, 2018

UPDATE 5:30PM

The blaze is now burning OUT OF CONTROL and the RFS has issued a warning to residents in Wade Close, Campvale as the fire is expected to reach them in the next 30 minutes. Fire crews are in position to protect homes.

The advice still stays in place for residents in the Campvale area around Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road, Wade Close are advised to SEEK SHELTER as the fire approaches.

Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.

UPDATE: 4:40PM

There are currently 136 fire fighters on the ground battling the Tomago blaze.

The Very Large Air Tanker has been assisting as well as other air tankers.

Greg Allen from the Rural Fire Service said there is a strong, gusty southerly expected to come through tonight and fire crews are planning to accommodate for those changing conditions.

Residents in the Campvale area around Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road, Wade Close are advised to SEEK SHELTER as the fire approaches.

Greg Allen said that seeking shelter means doing what you can to stay safe - staying in your home making sure the bathtub, buckets, anything you can find is filled with water so if you need to put out spot fires you can and actively protect your home.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is urging residents to follow their Bush Fire Survival Plans and keep an eye on the potentially changing conditions.

If your life is at risk call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

For the latest update from RFS head to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

There are reports Newcastle Airport is now closed to all flights in and out of the airfield.

Residents in Medowie are being told ash and embers could reach them from the blaze.

Emergency Warning: Masonite Rd, Tomago fire. This infrared imagery is looking south east over the Newcastle airport. The video shows the location of spot fires to the north of the airport runway. https://t.co/o5vERBAR4L #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/f5Fi4U9DBc

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 14, 2018

UPDATE: 4PM

There are some backburning operations underway in the fire area and residents in Medowie are also being told ash and embers may fall in the area from the blaze.

The 'Skycrane' water bombing aircraft has flown in and is helping fire crews battle the blaze.

Winds continue to fan the blaze heading north.

UPDATE 3:45PM

The bushfire continues to burn at an EMERGENCY level.

The advice to residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road, Wade Close and Campvale are advised to SEEK SHELTER as the fire approaches.

It's now burnt through more than 1,500 hectares of land.

For the latest updates head to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Jetstar has cancelled all remaining flights in and out of Newcastle Airport.

The airport is asking passengers to check the status of other flights with their airlines.




There are road closures in the area as well, Richardson Road is closed between Benjamin Lee Drive and Medowie Road.

For the latest head to: https://www.livetraffic.com/desktop.html

EARLIER: 2PM

The bushfire at Tomago has again been upgraded to an EMERGENCY level.

The blaze spotted north of Newcastle Airport just south of Richardson Road near Grahamstown Road and is heading north towards Campvale.


If you are in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale, are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.


The advice from the Rural Fire Service is to continue to monitor the conditions in your area and stay alert. If you don't have a Bush Fire Survival Plan decide what you will do if the situation changes, leaving early is your safest option. If you have a plan be ready to put it in action.


Residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale, are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

Residents in the vicinity of Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace, are advised to continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.

Tomago bushfire smoke chokes Richardson Road as wind starts to pick up. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/VfPp0HJvT2

— Meredith Gibbs (@meredith_gibbs) January 14, 2018

BREAKING! The Tomago bushfire has been upgraded to EMERGENCY due to strong winds in the area. .@2NURFMNews #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/CnArXfB5ey

— Jessica Rouse (@JessRouse95) January 14, 2018

Man Caught Trying to Carry Machete onto Newcastle Flight

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Jetstar flight was delayed 32 minutes at Newcastle airport yesterday afternoon after a passenger tried to take a machete on board.

A 500mm machete was found in a 31-year-old Mayfield man's bag when he passed through security at the airport at about 5:50pm.

The flight headed to Melbourne was meant to leave at 6:30pm, and didn't take off until just after 7pm last night.

The man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with a Commonwealth offense of unlawfully carrying a prohibited item.

He was granted bail and will appear in Raymond Terrace court in January, 2018.

Newcastle Airport Sets Another Record

BY IAN CROUCH AND SARAH BARONOWSKI

It's been another record month at Newcastle Airport.

Almost 116,000 people travelled in and out of the Williamtown facility during October - an increase of 1.8 percent compared to the same time last year.

Travelling workers, the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, Rugby World Cup, Gold Coast Supercars and the precursor to last week's Newcastle 500 have all contributed to the record numbers.

The previous monthly record was set last year when just under 114,000 passengers passed through the terminal gates.

More records were set over the Supercars weekend as well, with a total of 21, 000 people passing through the facility.

CEO Dr. Peter Cock says the Newcastle 500 was a huge success for the airport.

"On the Friday we did our busiest day ever. We did 4823 passengers so that's an all-time record for us and at one stage on the Sunday, we had every single aircraft parking bay filled which is the first time that's ever happened at the airport. So, it was really great for us."

He says the team is hoping to break more records over the Christmas holidays and into next year.

"We're looking to break that record again. We're still growing, we're in 24 months of continuous growth but we just continually need the support of Hunter people. Don't drive to another airport, use your local airport."

Record Numbers Pass Through Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport Keeping Passengers Better Connected.

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Airport has switched on its upgraded WiFi service.

The new system provides passengers with a faster internet service throughout the terminal free of charge.

Airport CEO, Peter Cock said the network has been built with future passenger growth in mind and is NBN ready.

"We understand how important it is to stay connected both in person – which we help to facilitate every day by connecting our region to the rest of Australian and beyond – and online through phones, tablets, or laptops" he said.

It comes after the recent installation of so-called smart seats, which allows passengers to charge phones and tablets in the departure lounge.

One Of More Than 300 New Smart Seat Charge Points At Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport ready for overseas travel

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Although there aren't any announcements on the horizon for international flights, Newcastle Airport today unveiled their international terminal fit-out.

The $1.6 million worth of facilities include security and IT equipment, passenger screening technology and furniture for border security agencies.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance opened the terminal this morning with the majority of which funded by the NSW Government.

"The opportunities are absolutely boundless and I know if Singapore airlines can fly thorough Canberra to New Zealand there is no reason why you won't see some of those international carriers having a very long hard think about the opportunities here, which are here, they're real and they're profound," said Andrew Constance.

The fit out was completed ahead of schedule and marks the completion of the upgrades at the terminal which started in 2015.

Andrew Constance says it's not just about moving people in and out, but the whole region benefiting through their industries as well.

'This one is a bit controversial, but I actually name it the Hunter International Airport because it does need to be a truly international airport. It's the state's second  international airport now, you guys beat Badgerys Creek so the key to it is absolutely the whole region."

Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock is on cloud nine and very happy to say the airport can now cater for international flights should the opportunity arise in the future.

"To see such a high calibre crowd here and driving along the way to this event I think it shows what an important asset this is for the region. It's a game changer. Facilities like this allow us to get international traffic and what we can be sure of is if we don't have this you can't get international flights."

Image newcastleairport.com.au

Alternative transport plan for Newcastle and Port Stephens

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A concept plan for a high speed Rivercat Ferry between Fullerton Cove and Newcastle Airport is being dusted off and brought back out from the 1990s.

Traffic and Transport Engineer Rob Caldwell is behind the plan dubbed the Port Stephens Ferry Service which he first suggested in 1991, but now with more and more people moving to the Hunter, he thinks it's becoming a more viable idea.

The link would be created along a canal, parts of which would have to be excavated, from the north shore of Fullerton Cove to Newcastle Airport (about a 4 kilometre distance) linking with Newcastle's CBD taking in parts of the Hunter River. Taking in the CBD would extend the trip to 16 kilometres.

"You don't have to have rails and roads alone - a high speed ferry would transport just as many people as a railway line and it could run from Newcastle's CBD, whereas the rail now because it was cut short it can only run from Wickham," said Rob.

Rob looked into the idea of a rail line between Kooragang Island and the airport as another option, but the canal service still looks to be the better idea.

"A canal by comparison uses the existing waterways of the Hunter River - that route would involve only 4 kilometres of canal linking Fullerton Cove to the airport which is a big difference in construction to the 13 kilometres of new railway."

Rob suggested the plan to local politicians back in 1991, but he says it was swept up into the bureaucracy and he never heard anything more about it. Now he wants to take it back to the politicians and see what they think.

There would be a lot of hurdles to jump through though, and the plan could be years away.

"The process of finding funding for something like that because it's something entirely new in Australia, I don't know where it would come from it would be a combination of the Federal, State and Local government with possibly funds coming back into it maybe it could be used as a toll canal for private craft."

Security ramped up at Newcastle airport

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Security has been ramped up at Newcastle Airport and throughout the country, after an alleged terror plot was foiled in Sydney over the weekend.

Australian Federal Police swooped on five properties in Sydney suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl on Saturday afternoon. Four people, two father and sons, were arrested for allegedly plotting to kill hundreds of people on a plane using a homemade bomb.

A number of items were seized during the search including a meat grinder which is thought to be planned to be used as a part of a bomb.

Travellers were warned overnight security would be stepped up at airports throughout Australia and to allow additional travel time to get through the extra measures.

A spokesperson for Newcastle Airport said they are following authorities instructions and have additional security measures in place at screening points. They say there's no need to arrive hours earlier for flights, but rather just 30 minutes.

Newcastle airport's biggest ever year for passengers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

We're all being urged to Go Smarter and use our local airport after Newcastle Airport released their passenger results for the 2016/17 financial year.

The airport saw more than 1.25 million people use the airport, the best financial year number ever and a 6.6 per cent increase on the last figures.

There's no doubt the airport is a major contributor to the Hunter's growth and economy bringing people and businesses in and out of the area. Airlines are putting on more flights through Newcastle airport making Newcastle an ideal kick-off point for business and holiday travel.

"It is actually the smart choice. If you think about the other option of driving many hours down the M1 and risking traffic jams, it's just a lot smarter to use your own airport, you can park cheaply and close to the door, check in is great and we kind of understand people don't know you can do hubbing to international destinations," said airport CEO Dr Peter Cock.

The Go Smarter campaign launched last week highlights exactly what Dr Peter Cock explained - that the airport is easy, quick, smart and often more affordable for travel for locals for both international and domestic flights. The campaign aims to re-educate people of the Hunter about the flight options they have right in their backyard.

"We understand people don't know you can do hubbing to international destinations or you can fly internationally through at your own airport you just go via Melbourne or Brisbane and in many cases its actually quicker when you consider the whole journey including the travel down the M1, it's actually smarter to go from your local airport," said Dr Peter Cock.

Image newcastleairport.com.au

International flights by November

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Jumping on a flight overseas could be a whole lot easier when the state government announce funding for Newcastle airport to cater for international passenger flights.

The government will announce $850,000 to fit out the terminal before the end of the year.

The major upgrade will make it possible for Novocastrians and people across the Hunter to jump on a flight close to home, rather than make the long journey down to Sydney Airport.

 Airport management will now start talks with airlines to discuss flights to Bali, Fiji and New Zealand.

The announcement comes a year before Badgerys Creek Airport, which will make Newcastle the second International airport in NSW.

Image visitnewcastle.com.au