Newcastle Airport Set to Launch New Terminal as NSW Unveils $12.5 Million Aviation Boost

newy.com.au – Newcastle Airport is preparing to open its new international terminal on Monday, as the NSW Government announces a $12.5 million investment to expand air services and strengthen the state’s visitor economy.

Unveiled as part of the 2025–26 NSW Budget, the NSW Take Off Fund is aimed at attracting more flights to the state’s three international gateways — Sydney, Western Sydney and Newcastle. The funding will support new and expanded domestic and international routes, with a focus on increasing airline seat capacity by 8.5 million seats in coming years.

The fund will offer financial and marketing support to carriers launching additional services into NSW, in a bid to enhance global competitiveness and attract more visitors. It follows the success of earlier initiatives including the Aviation Attraction Fund and the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, which have collectively helped create more than 25,000 jobs.

Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the new fund reinforces the state’s backing of regional airports and will be key to building the Hunter’s international connectivity. “With our international terminal fully operational from August, we are working closely with Destination NSW to deliver on our promise to be the airport our region deserves and secure new international services that will boost visitation and deliver lasting benefits to the Hunter region and beyond,” Mr Horton said.

Newcastle has already secured new flights to Perth with Qantas and to Denpasar with Jetstar, adding momentum ahead of the terminal’s opening. The upgraded facility is expected to significantly increase passenger capacity and position Newcastle as a strategic hub for both domestic and international travel.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the new fund builds on recent achievements, including routes from Denpasar to Newcastle, Auckland to Western Sydney and long-haul links to Istanbul and Shanghai via Sydney. “More seats mean more visitors, and that means a stronger tourism sector, stronger regions and more jobs,” he said.

Further details on eligibility criteria and application timelines for the NSW Take Off Fund will be released in the coming weeks.