NEWCASTLE Airport has taken out two major honours at the Australian Airports Association’s 2025 National Airport Industry Awards, held last week in the Gold Coast.
The Williamtown airport won the Airport Excellence Award for Infrastructure for its landmark International Terminal Expansion project, as well as the Airport Excellence Award for Sustainability.
CEO Linc Horton said he was proud to see Newcastle Airport stand among such high-calibre finalists.
“We were finalists across six categories recognising airport achievements and senior leadership and we couldn’t be more honoured to stand among our peers and celebrate their achievements,” Mr Horton said.
“Taking home two of the awards is just icing on the cake.
“Winning these awards reflects the long-term vision and effort behind delivering a terminal built for the future.
“We have a brand new international terminal ready to serve our region that has been built to lead in sustainable design.”
The Infrastructure award acknowledges the scale and success of the airport’s $250 million terminal transformation.
The redevelopment adds 50 percent to the terminal’s footprint, introduces eight gates, an expanded arrivals hall, streamlined passenger flows and a state-of-the-art aerobridge, enabling the terminal to accommodate larger international aircraft.
“Our new international terminal sets the stage for a more connected and competitive region as we now have the infrastructure to support long-haul international services and deliver the airport the region deserves,” Mr Horton said.
“The new terminal is already paying dividends, with recent direct routes launched to Perth, Hobart and Bali, and one-stop access to Singapore via Bali launching in March 2026.
“These new services demonstrate the role our infrastructure plays in attracting new airlines and creating new opportunities for business, tourism and trade.”
The project’s economic impact is expected to generate more than 4,400 long-term jobs and contribute $12.7 billion in economic activity over the next 20 years, with benefits split between freight, logistics and tourism.
The terminal expansion is a leap in capacity and in sustainability.
The building uses 100 percent renewable energy and includes a 1,236-panel solar array providing 20 percent of its power needs.
It has already achieved a 5-Star Green Star ‘Design’ rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, with a 5-Star ‘As Built’ rating targeted.
These sustainability credentials formed the basis of the airport’s second win of the evening: the Airport Excellence Award for Sustainability.
Newcastle Airport became the first Airport in Australia to reach Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4+, achieving Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions six years ahead of its 2030 target. This achievement was backed by a 100 percent renewable Power Purchase Agreement and nature-based offsets.
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