Newcastle's Airport Story: One Or Two?

Newcastle International Airport (IATA: NCL, ICAO: EGNT) is the primary airport serving Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Located approximately 7.7 miles from Newcastle City Centre, it is the busiest airport in North East England. The airport has one terminal and handles about 5 million passengers per year. In addition to Newcastle International Airport, there are several other airports named Newcastle Airport around the world, including in Nevis, New South Wales, South Africa, the Republic of Ireland, and various cities in the United States.

Newcastle International Airport's history

There are two airports named Newcastle Airport: one in England and the other in Australia.

Newcastle International Airport, England

Newcastle International Airport (IATA: NCL, ICAO: EGNT) is an international airport serving Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Located approximately 7.7 miles (12.4 km) from Newcastle City Centre, it is the primary and busiest airport in North East England and the second busiest in Northern England.

In 1929, the Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council set up a committee to investigate the potential for building an airport to serve the North-East of England, considering 18 locations before selecting a site at Woolsington, about 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of the city centre. The airport, which cost £35,000 to build, was opened on 26 July 1935 as Woolsington Aerodrome by the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Lister. It included a clubhouse, hangar, workshops, fuel garage, and grass runway. The airport became the base for the Newcastle upon Tyne Flying Club, which moved from its previous home at Cramlington Aerodrome and ran the new airport on behalf of the council.

In 1940, the airfield was occasionally used to operate detachments of Supermarine Spitfire fighters from RAF Acklington-based 72 Squadron. On 25 July that year, No. 83 Maintenance Unit RAF, tasked with recovering crashed aircraft, was formed at Woolsington, remaining operational until April 1946. The airfield was also used as a base for the single Tiger Moth of the Durham University Air Squadron from February 1941.

In 1967, a new runway, terminal, apron, and air traffic control tower were constructed and officially opened by Prime Minister Harold Wilson on 17 February 1967. In 1978, with passenger figures approaching one million per year, the airport was designated as a regional international hub airport, allowing for further redevelopment.

The 1980s saw further investment in check-in, catering, and duty-free shops. In 1991, the Airport Metro station opened, connecting the airport with Newcastle City Centre and Sunderland. In 2004, an extended and refurbished Departure Terminal was opened, featuring new shops and cafes.

In 2006, Newcastle International Airport served a record 5.4 million passengers, according to Civil Aviation Authority figures. In 2019, it was named the best airport in Europe for airports serving 5-15 million passengers annually by Airports Council International (ACI) for the second consecutive year.

Newcastle Airport, Australia

Newcastle Airport in Australia has been providing air travel to the Hunter, Central Coast, and Northern NSW regions since 1947. It started as Williamtown Civilian Airport, with humble beginnings in a 'tin' shed. Today, it is a thriving domestic and international airport, serving over a million passengers annually.

Newcastle Airport in Australia is the sixth-largest regional airport in the country and works with airlines such as FlyPelican, Jetstar, QantasLink, Link Airways, Eastern Air Services, and Virgin Australia. It offers direct flights to several destinations within Australia, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Cobar, Gold Coast, Lord Howe Island, Melbourne, Sydney, and Narrabri. It also serves as a preferred hub for international travellers flying through Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast to other parts of the world.

The airport has undergone significant development, including a $9 million aircraft parking apron expansion and a $14.5 million terminal expansion. It has also received recognition through awards such as the President's Award at the 2019 Hunter Business Awards.

Airlines and destinations

Newcastle International Airport (IATA: NCL, ICAO: EGNT) is the primary airport serving Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the busiest airport in North East England and the second busiest in Northern England. The airport offers flights to a range of domestic and international destinations across Europe and beyond, including:

British Airways

British Airways, the UK's flagship carrier, offers flights from Newcastle to several key destinations, including London, Edinburgh, and New York.

EasyJet

EasyJet, a low-cost airline, provides travellers with affordable flight options to numerous popular European destinations.

Ryanair

Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, connects Newcastle to various cities such as Dublin, Barcelona, and Rome.

Emirates

Emirates operates a daily non-stop service to Dubai from Newcastle Airport, utilising a Boeing 777 aircraft.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa offers seamless connections to Frankfurt and beyond, with daily flights from Newcastle.

TUI

TUI provides weekly flights to Sal and Cape Verde, and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, as part of their programme at Newcastle Airport.

Jet2.com

Jet2.com has a base at Newcastle Airport and offers flights to destinations such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Alicante. They also previously operated seasonal flights to Newark, USA.

In addition to these airlines, Newcastle Airport accommodates several other carriers, including Thomas Cook Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle. The airport serves as a crucial gateway, handling around 5 million passengers annually and providing essential connections to and from the North East of England.

Airport transport links

Newcastle International Airport (IATA: NCL, ICAO: EGNT) is located in the north of England, approximately 7.7 miles (12.4 km) from Newcastle City Centre. The airport is easily accessible by car, public transport, or train.

If you're travelling to the airport by car, the A1 road and the A696 dual carriageway provide convenient access to the airport from the north and south. The journey to the city centre typically takes around 20 minutes by car.

For those opting for public transport, the Tyne and Wear Metro system offers a direct connection to the airport via the Airport Metro station, which is linked to the terminal through an indoor walkway. The metro provides frequent direct services to Newcastle and Sunderland city centres, with a travel time of approximately 20 and 50 minutes, respectively.

Additionally, bus services are available, with a half-hourly bus connecting the airport to nearby villages such as Ponteland and Darras Hall, as well as the City Centre.

Newcastle International Airport also has a range of official parking options available, from premium to low-cost, and alternative parking facilities can be found near the airport. Booking parking in advance, especially for low-cost options, is recommended to secure the best rates.

Airport facilities and services

Newcastle International Airport (IATA: NCL, ICAO: EGNT) is located in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK. The airport is easily accessible via the A1 road and the A696 dual carriageway. It is approximately 7.7 miles (12.4 km) from Newcastle City Centre and it takes 20 minutes to get to the centre of Newcastle by car. The airport is served by a number of bus routes, and the nearest metro station is the Newcastle Airport Metro station, which is directly connected to the terminal through an indoor walkway.

Newcastle Airport has one passenger terminal, equipped with a variety of services and amenities, including dining options, shops, and car rental services. The airport offers lounges to accommodate travellers seeking a comfortable and relaxing space before their flight. The Aspire Lounge is accessible to all passengers for a fee, while the British Airways Lounge is exclusively available to British Airways passengers.

The airport is home to an impressive aviation academy, which provides a range of training courses for aspiring pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals. Additionally, the airport features an art gallery that showcases a rotating selection of artwork from regional artists.

For travellers with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities, the airport provides support and assistance throughout their journey. The airport also offers a range of official parking options, from premium to low cost, and alternative parking is available near the airport.

Hotels near the airport

There is one airport in Newcastle upon Tyne, England: Newcastle International Airport (NCL). This airport is located approximately 7.7 miles from Newcastle City Centre and is the primary and busiest airport in North East England.

• Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport: Located in Woolsington, this hotel is within a 10-minute drive of St. James' Park and Kingston Park Stadium.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Newcastle International Airport: This eco-friendly hotel is connected to the airport and is within a 10-minute drive of St. James' Park and Kingston Park Stadium.
• Stone Cottage: Located in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, this bed and breakfast is within a 10-minute drive of Newcastle Racecourse and the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
• The Diamond Inn: Situated in the historical district, this inn is within a 10-minute drive of Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens and Kingston Park Stadium.
• The Old Stables: Offering a garden and courtyard view, this holiday home is set in Newcastle upon Tyne, 14 km from St James' Park and 15 km from Utilita Arena.
• Hemples Lodge: Within a 15-minute drive of St. James' Park and Kingston Park Stadium, this luxury bed and breakfast is also near Weetslade Country Park and Northumberlandia.
• Novotel Newcastle Airport: This hotel is a 5-minute drive from Newcastle Airport and a 10-minute drive from Newcastle city centre. It features a stylish restaurant, a bar, and spacious rooms with LCD TVs and Freeview channels.
• Premier Inn Newcastle Airport: This hotel is located within Newcastle International Airport and offers a pleasant and peaceful stay.

Frequently asked questions