newy.com.au – Outgoing Newcastle Airport board chair Jude Munro AO has been awarded a Key to the City of Newcastle and will retire from the role in March after a period of major investment and record passenger results.
City of Newcastle presented the civic honour at City Hall on Wednesday 25 February 2026, saying Ms Munro’s leadership helped strengthen the region’s connectivity, sustainability credentials and national reputation through the airport. The Keys to the City ambassador program was established in 2017 to recognise individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to Newcastle.
City of Newcastle councillor Callum Pull, who nominated Ms Munro alongside Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson, said: “Jude Munro’s leadership has helped position Newcastle for the future, economically, environmentally and socially.” Pull said her stewardship had “championed sustainable growth, strengthened regional connectivity and ensured the airport continues to deliver long-term value for the Hunter”.
Anderson said Newcastle Airport was “a shared regional asset” and that Ms Munro’s focus on governance, sustainability and investment had created opportunities for “jobs, tourism, trade and innovation, reinforcing the airport’s role as a gateway to NSW and the world”.
Ms Munro has chaired the Newcastle Airport Board since June 2023 after eight years as a director, with deputy chair Samantha Martin-Williams to succeed her from March. Martin-Williams, a director since October 2019, said the airport was well placed for its next phase, adding: “As Chair, my focus will be on sustaining that momentum and ensuring Newcastle Airport continues to drive connectivity, investment and long-term economic strength for the Hunter and the nation.”
Newcastle Airport said the final quarter of 2025 was its highest ever for passenger numbers, with 340,778 travellers passing through the terminal in October, November and December. The airport said the year also included completion of the expanded terminal and new direct flights to Bali, Singapore via Bali, Perth and Hobart.
During Ms Munro’s time on the board, the airport delivered major infrastructure including terminal expansions and an international terminal, while progressing the Astra Aerolab precinct, described as a nationally significant aerospace, defence and innovation hub adjacent to the airport and Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown. Newcastle Airport said she oversaw its broader $250 million precinct-wide expansion program, with the completed terminal expected to deliver $12.7 billion in economic benefit over the next 20 years, including $6.2 billion in the visitor economy, $6.5 billion in freight activity and more than 4,000 jobs.
The airport said it became the first in Australia to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 Plus Transition, placing it in the top 12 per cent of airports globally, and had reached net zero milestones across Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
Accepting the honour, Ms Munro said: “Newcastle is a city with extraordinary ambition, resilience and community spirit, and it has been a privilege to contribute to its future.” Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said Ms Munro had focused on “what matters for the Hunter”, adding the airport was “incredibly grateful for her contribution”.
Ms Munro has served on more than 20 boards and has been chair of Queensland Urban Utilities, the Victorian Planning Authority and the Victorian Pride Centre, and is currently chair of Uniting Vic Tas and a director of Create Advisory. She previously received the keys to the City of Brisbane in 2010 and has been recognised as a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration and a Life Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.
