Airport History

Historical Timeline

1930's

Opened 26 July 1935 by Secretary of State for Air, Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Lister.

Cost £35,000 to build

Consisted of a grass runway, clubhouse, hanger, workshops, a hose for petrol and a garage

1950's

Ex-RAF Fighter pilot Jim Denyer was appointed Airport Manager

Start of package holidays - 'exotic' trips to Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and Channel Islands

Reached 5,500 passengers a year

1960's

Boom in sunshine holidays especially Spain

New construction including a new runway, apron and control building were opened by Prime Minister Harold Wilson

1970's

Passenger figures soared to 700,000

In 1978 the Government designated Newcastle International Category B status which mean it became a regional international airport

First wide-bodied Jumbo Jet landed from America with a party of 380 people

1980's

£8 million development including improved check-ins, lounges, catering and duty free facilities

Passenger facilities reached 1.24 million

1990's

Passenger figures reached record breaking 1.67 million

Based on a turnover of £25.6 million Newcastle International was ranked 117th largest company in the North East - 39th when based on profit

Extended and improved terminal building opened in 1994 by the Princess Royal

2000's

Prime Minister Tony Blair opened major £27 million extension

2001 saw a major step in the airport’s development when the 7 local authority shareholders sold a 49% share of the company to Copenhagen Airports

March 2003 saw the arrival of easyJet to Newcastle, a terrific coup for the region, heralding the start of the low-cost phenomenon in the north east

The new Newcastle International was launched in October 2003.  A new brand, extra capacity, new routes and multi-million pound developments were all announced.

2003 saw passenger figures reach 3.9 million - another record breaking figure

Summer 2004 saw the opening by Ant and Dec of the new terminal extension and redevelopment.  The departure lounge doubled in size and a wide range of new shops, services, restaurants and cafes opened up.

Newcastle International was the fastest growing regional airport in the UK in 2005 as passenger figures topped 5 million per year.  With a new route added to the departure board every month on average, the number of destinations served from Newcastle grew to 86.

Plans to develop a new Business Park and 4* luxury hotel at the airport were announced in 2006, with work currently underway on both projects.