It is officially known as Newcastle Airport, the Port Stephens community and Defence refer to it as Williamtown Airport, now the State Transport Minister Andrew Constance has chimed in with a preference for Hunter International Airport.
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Regardless of its moniker, the airport which shares its civilian runway with the Air Force has come a long way in nearly 80 years serving both the Australian Defence Force and the economic benefits it brings to the wider Hunter region.
While bushfires raged across nearby communities last Thursday (November 22), the airport was celebrating the landing from Auckland of the first international flight in 16 years.
The milestone coincided with the official opening of the $1.6 million international processing facility.
Unable to attend the historic day due to parliamentary commitments, Mr Constance, accompanied by Liberal candidate for the seat of Port Stephens Jaimie Abbott, was given a private tour of the facility on Tuesday. The state government provided the majority funding – $1 million – of the total cost for the terminal expansion in 2017.
We are working intensely with stakeholders, including the federal government, and the airport to investigate options for an upgraded runway... opening up destinations further afield.
- - NSW Minister for Transport Andrew Constance
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Mr Constance talked about connectivity and the potential for growth, jobs and contribution of the airport as an international gateway to regional NSW.
“The airport is a key element to creating travel global business opportunities particularity in areas of live produce. It would also play an integral part in the potential for fast rail between Newcastle and Sydney, substantially reducing travel times between the two business hubs,” Mr Constance said.
“We are working intensely with stakeholders, including the federal government, and the airport to investigate options for an upgraded runway that would allow longer range aircraft, opening up destinations further afield and providing economic benefit that would be counted in the billions of dollars over coming decades.
“An upgraded runway will bring significant opportunities, the potential for an international freight terminal which would open new markets to producers and provide the potential to ease congestion on Sydney roads by leveraging easy access with NorthConnex.”
Newcastle Airport CEO Peter Cock said his staff were busy with getting on the job of helping deliver the region the airport it deserves.
“As the second international gateway into NSW we are actively pursuing plans for an upgraded runway to bring greater opportunities and enduring benefits to the people of northern NSW,” he said.
“The service would provide innumerable benefits to tourism, business, and for people visiting family and friends on both sides of the Tasman.”
Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer, a passenger on the inaugural flight from Auckland to Newcastle, said the flight marked a key step in the ongoing expansion of the airport – operated by both Port Stephens and Newcastle councils – and its strategic importance to the Hunter.
In a state-first, Port Stephens-Hunter police will take policing responsibility of the terminal instead of the Australian Federal Police. Officers from the command have trained with the AFP in Sydney to learn of the new responsibilities.
Australian Border Force workers will be the first to greet travellers for passport checks, before screening for those departing Newcastle.
The 13-week seasonal service to Auckland NZ would initially operate over the peak holiday period with direct Virgin flights available every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between now and February 17, 2019.
