Newcastle Airport are undertaking its biennial emergency exercise today, dubbed ‘Smooth Skies,’ as part of a comprehensive effort to evaluate its readiness for a major aircraft incident. The exercise, which involves more than 100 participants, tests and refines emergency response coordination among multiple agencies, including the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), NSW Police, NSW State Emergency Service (SES), NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), and the Australian Red Cross. Local entities such as Port Stephens Council and Hunter New England Health also play significant roles.
Conducted every two years, this exercise focuses on enhancing interagency cooperation and ensuring that protocols are robust enough to manage large-scale emergencies. During the drill, participants simulate a serious aviation incident to stress-test communication, response time, and resource allocation.
Community members in and around the airport are advised not to be alarmed by the increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel, as this is a scheduled simulation. Newcastle Airport has deployed ambassadors throughout the terminal in teal jackets to assist visitors and answer any questions.
