The Right Honourable Nick Brown MP, Minister for the North East, and Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, today opened the new state of the art air traffic control tower at Newcastle International Airport.
Standing at 45 metres tall – more than twice the height of the Angel of the North – and with 360 degree views of Newcastle, the Tyne Valley, Northumberland and the coast, Newcastle’s air traffic controllers are calling it ‘the best office in the North East’.
The £8.2 million landmark development, situated on the north side of the airfield at the runway’s mid-point, replaces the previous tower which served passengers at the airport for over 40 years.
The bespoke design of the new tower has a striking appearance, with a stylish twisting latticework structure and concave sides. REID architecture designed the tower after winning an industry-wide competition, with structural and engineering work completed by Arup and construction work undertaken by Sir Robert McAlpine.
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) then completed the installation of the latest air traffic systems and technology, making it one of the most technologically advanced control towers in the UK.
The tower will become fully operational in October, after a period of controller training. The old tower will remain as a standby facility.
Opening the tower, the Rt Hon Nick Brown MP said: ‘This welcome investment in Newcastle Airport will benefit the whole region with its contribution to the regeneration of the region’s economy, and give the North East a distinguished iconic new building. Newcastle Airport goes from strength to strength.’
Chris Davis, Newcastle International’s head of operations was delighted to see this project through to completion, having laid the first foundation stone on 23 May 2006. Chris said: ‘This project marks an epic development for air traffic and the airport as a whole. The new tower is vital to support the airport’s continued growth. It has been completed within 15 months to the highest standards of design and innovation.’
Chris, who began work at the airport as an air traffic controller back in 1969, added: ’Its location on the north side of the airfield provides improved sight lines and visibility, with a maximum view of the airfield. The location has also been carefully selected to minimise intrusion for surrounding communities. The tower is technically innovative and incredibly efficient, rivaling those of major airports across the world.
’ We’re delighted that the work has been completed ahead of schedule and within budget and that the finished result has surpassed our expectations.’
Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, was at the controls in the tower’s visual control room to welcome the arrival of the airline’s new daily flight from Dubai to Newcastle, which started just days earlier.
Tim said: ‘This has been a great week for aviation in the North East of England. In the space of a few days, Newcastle International Airport has seen the start of Emirates' new daily service between Newcastle and Dubai - the first ever long haul scheduled service out of Newcastle, and today, the official opening of this magnificently striking control tower. We can tell you that Newcastle is now very much on the Emirates' radar.’
The construction of the new tower is in line with Newcastle International’s development masterplan, which will accommodate the airport’s sustained growth in traffic over the next decade and beyond.
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For further details:
Wendy Dawley
Press & PR Executive
Newcastle International Airport
Tel: 00 44 (0)191 214 3568
Mobile: 00 44 (0)7801 335746
Email: wdawley@newcastleinternational.co.uk
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