Newcastle Airport's Runway Operations: How Many Are There?

Newcastle International Airport, located 7.7 miles from Newcastle City Centre, is the primary and busiest airport in North East England. It is also the 11th busiest airport in the UK, serving over 5 million passengers annually. The airport has one runway, 7/25, which is 2,330 metres long. The airport has seen significant growth over the past 20 years, with passenger numbers increasing by 102%.

Newcastle Airport's runway history

Newcastle Airport, also known as Newcastle International Airport, is a midsized airport located in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom. It is the primary and busiest airport in North East England and the second busiest in Northern England. The airport is currently owned by seven local authorities (51%) and AMP Capital (49%).

The history of Newcastle Airport's runway dates back to its early years. When the airport first opened in 1935 as Woolsington Aerodrome, it featured a grass runway, a clubhouse, a hangar, workshops, and a fuel garage. The airport served as the base for the Newcastle upon Tyne Flying Club, which managed the airport on behalf of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council.

In 1940, during World War II, the airfield was used by the RAF and saw detachments of Supermarine Spitfire fighters from RAF Acklington-based 72 Squadron. The airfield continued to have military significance until it was handed back to the council in 1946.

A significant development occurred in 1967 when a new runway was constructed, along with a terminal, an apron, and a new air traffic control tower. This marked a pivotal moment in the airport's history, with the new infrastructure officially opened by Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Since then, Newcastle Airport has continued to evolve and expand. In the late 1970s, with passenger figures approaching one million per year, the airport was designated as a regional international hub airport, paving the way for further redevelopment. The airport has also invested in improving its facilities, including check-in, catering, and duty-free shopping areas.

Today, Newcastle Airport's single runway, designated as 7/25, continues to serve the airport's growing passenger traffic. The airport handles a diverse range of flights, connecting the North East of England with destinations in Europe, Africa, America, and the Middle East. With its efficient operations and convenient location, Newcastle Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating travel and contributing to the region's economic growth.

The airport's busiest routes

Newcastle Airport, located 7.7 miles (12.4 km) from Newcastle City Centre, is a midsized airport with a single runway. It is the primary and busiest airport in North East England, and the second busiest in Northern England.

In 2023, the busiest route to and from Newcastle International Airport was to Belfast International. The airport offers a range of destinations, including several locations in the UK, Europe, and further afield.

UK Destinations:

Newcastle Airport offers flights to various locations in England, including Bristol, Exeter, London Heathrow, Newquay, Southampton, and more. It also provides connections to Belfast, Dublin, and Cork in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, respectively.

European Destinations:

The airport has flights to many European cities, such as Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Vienna, and Prague. It also serves popular holiday destinations like the Spanish islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands, as well as Greek islands such as Corfu, Crete, and Santorini.

Worldwide Destinations:

For travellers looking further afield, Newcastle Airport provides connections to Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and the United Arab Emirates. It also offers flights to long-haul destinations like Mexico (Cancun), the United States (including New York and Los Angeles), and even Australia (with cities like Sydney and Melbourne) on the list.

The airport has seen significant growth over the years, with passenger numbers peaking at 5.65 million in 2007, more than double the number from a decade prior. While there was a decline during the 2007-2010 financial crisis, numbers recovered, and the airport continues to expand and improve its facilities.

Masterplan 2035

Newcastle International Airport currently has one runway: 7/25. As the airport approaches its 100th anniversary in 2035, it has released Masterplan 2035, which outlines its vision for the future. The plan focuses on driving economic growth and providing better global connectivity for the North East, striving to meet the demand for air travel and offering an exceptional range of destinations.

The masterplan forecasts a potential increase in passenger numbers from 5.4 million in 2017 to 9.4 million in 2035, which will require improved and expanded facilities. To accommodate this growth, the airport is considering a possible 700-metre extension at the eastern end of the airfield, which would require diverting Brunton Lane. However, the plan also hopes that improving aircraft technology may allow the current runway to suffice.

To support the increased passenger numbers and aircraft traffic, the following developments are outlined in Masterplan 2035:

• Additional aircraft stands and apron areas
• Possible terminal improvements, utilising new technology to make more efficient use of space
• Up to 7,400 extra car parking spaces, including surface-level and multi-storey parking adjacent to the terminal
• Further airport support services such as car hire and a hotel
• Allocation of 63 hectares of land for offices and warehousing south of the airport, with the potential to create additional on-site jobs and economic value
• Supporting investment in the strategic road network, particularly the A696/A1 corridor, to manage the expected increase in traffic
• Constructing a link road between the A696 and Newcastle Great Park, connecting the southside employment sites
• Upgrading the main access roundabout and creating a second entrance at Prestwick Road Ends
• Supporting the expansion of the Tyne and Wear Metro and advocating for a new fleet of trains
• Advocating for investment in local and national rail routes, including exploring a direct heavy rail link to the airport
• Promoting sustainable travel choices, with a goal of increasing sustainable transport use to 30% of all passenger journeys by 2035

The airport is committed to sustainable growth and mitigating any potential impacts on the surrounding community and environment. To address key issues such as increased aircraft noise, air quality, energy demand, and water runoff, the plan outlines several mitigation measures. These include encouraging the use of quieter aircraft, implementing noise-minimising flight paths, upgrading vehicle fleets to electric power, maximising energy efficiency, and creating additional drainage holding lagoons.

The airport's catchment area

Newcastle International Airport is 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. The airport is owned by seven local authorities (51%) and AMP Capital (49%). The seven local authorities are: the City of Newcastle, the City of Sunderland, Durham County Council, Gateshead MBC, North Tyneside MBC, Northumberland County Council, and South Tyneside MBC.

The airport mainly serves the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland in North East England, as well as Cumbria in North West England, and the Scottish Borders area of southern Scotland. It is one of the UK's leading regional airports, serving over 5 million annual passengers with a diverse airline portfolio, flying to over 80 direct business and leisure destinations in Europe, Africa, America, and the Middle East.

The airport's ownership

Newcastle International Airport (IATA: NCL, ICAO: EGNT) is jointly owned by seven local authorities (51%) and AMP Capital (49%). The seven local authorities are: the City of Newcastle, City of Sunderland, Durham County Council, Gateshead MBC, North Tyneside MBC, Northumberland County Council, and South Tyneside MBC.

In October 2012, Copenhagen Airport sold its stake in the airport to AMP Capital. The airport is the largest Australian airport remaining in public ownership, with all distributions returned to the communities it serves.

The airport has a dynamic and fast-growing company structure, passionate about delivering outcomes for its region. It is governed by a Board of Directors, comprising both independent and shareholder-nominated directors.

In November 2012, Port Stephens Council and Newcastle City Council agreed to change Newcastle Airport Limited's structure from a company limited by guarantee to a company limited by shares. Newcastle Airport Pty Limited (NAPL) now operates under a new structure, in which NAPL holds the airport property (except the Head Lease) as a nominee for partners of the Newcastle Airport Partnership. NAPL also undertakes the operation and development of the airport as an agent of the Newcastle Airport Partnership.

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