Australia’s Newcastle Airport delivers record year with new connections

Australia’s Newcastle Airport said it has delivered a record year for regional NSW with more than 1.3 million passengers travelling through the airport as new domestic and international connections, major infrastructure investment and strong financial performance drove continued growth. The airport’s 2025–26 annual report shows that growth is translating into a stronger, more resilient airport, with continued investment in connectivity, infrastructure and the local community. The airport reported: 3m+ passengers | New record | 10% growth; $56.0m revenue | 20.7% growth; $9.7m net profit | 273% growth; $83k invested in community sponsorships | 17% increase. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said FY26 has been an extraordinary year for the airport and the region. “We opened our new international terminal, added new routes, progressed our property development, set a new passenger record and delivered a strong financial result,” Mr Horton said. “We’ve invested in the airport’s growth to give people across the Hunter more routes, more choice and better connections to where they want to go with support from Destination NSW for route incentives. We have a clear plan for sustainable growth and we’ve also put forward an accelerated growth plan to the State Government that could help deliver the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035. A solid financial performance allows us to invest in growth while ensuring the airport remains financially sustainable over the long-term.” Newcastle Airport Chair Samantha Martin-Williams said the year’s achievements reflected a clear focus on strengthening the airport’s financial position while investing in the region’s future. “FY26 has been a significant year for Newcastle Airport. We have delivered infrastructure for international connections, expanded our aviation network and strengthened and diversified our commercial portfolio. These investments matter because of what they make possible, better connections for our communities, greater access to markets for business and more reasons for people to visit our region.” Horton said there was significant opportunity ahead as Newcastle Airport looked to build on the momentum of FY26. “The opportunity in front of us is huge and we will continue to unlock new opportunities for our region. For us, that means continuing to grow Newcastle Airport and giving people across the Hunter, Central Coast and Northern NSW more choice to travel where they want, when they want and at a reasonable price. We want to make travel easier and more convenient while staying true to who we are and the community we serve; connected, convenient and authentic.” New retail headed to Brisbane Airport (IMAGE: Brisbane Airport) More than a dozen new and refurbished retailers are coming to Brisbane Airport’s terminals, with the retail renovation and expansion part of the Future BNE transformation. New stores coming to the International Terminal include Rip Curl, Sunglass Hut, an UGG store and Brisbane-inspired gift and souvenir store, Discover Australia, which opened this week. Also on the way, The Edit, a premium fashion, luggage lifestyle boutique that will feature a mix of fashion brands under one roof, such as R.M Williams, Pure Baby and Victoria’s Secret. For travel essentials, five new RELAY stores across the International Terminal will offer travellers a curated range of on-the-go necessities, including gifts, grab-and-go food and beverages, tech and luggage. A tailor-made in-store design will also accommodate a dedicated health and wellbeing range, allowing travellers to pick up over-the-counter essentials, such as vitamins and ibuprofen. Three of these stores are already trading. Arriving international passengers will also have access to telecommunications services from Telsim and Optus, while Prosegur Change Currency Exchange has opened its permanent store following the launch of pop-up kiosks late last year. The transformation will continue in the coming years, with the footprint of the International Terminal’s existing Lotte Duty Free store set to almost double. The Domestic Terminal is also welcoming a new wave of retailers. Adidas will open its first Australian airport store in early 2027, giving travellers the opportunity to shop the global sportswear brand before departure or after arrival. Luxury chocolatier Koko Black will follow in early 2027, while salon-quality haircare retailer Hairhouse is set to open next month. UGG has also recently opened at the terminal, adding another iconic Australian brand to Brisbane Airport’s domestic retail offering. Scott Norris, Executive General Manager Commercial at Brisbane Airport said the new retail experience would complement the overhaul of the terminal’s dining offering currently underway. “Passengers travelling through Brisbane Airport will soon enjoy an upgraded shopping experience, with a mix of convenience stores, big name brands and travel essentials coming to our terminals as part of our ongoing transformation. The addition of these outlets will boost the retail offering at Brisbane Airport, giving a record number of passengers more choice and greater convenience at every step of their journey.” New and  refreshed retailers and locations include: International Terminal Level 4, Departures Hall (check-in) Prosegur Change Currency Exchange (now open) Relay (now open) Smarte Carte Level 3, Departures Hall (after security) The Edit (RM Williams, Pure Baby and Victoria’s Secret) Discover Australia UGG Prosegur Change Currency Exchange Relay (three outlets) Rip Curl Sunglass Hut Level 2, Arrivals Hall Prosegur Change Currency Exchange Relay (now open) Telsim Optus Domestic Terminal Level 2 (after security) Adidas (near Gate 38) UGG store (near Gate 22) Haircare (near Gate 24) Koko Black (near Gate 24) All new speciality outlets, apart from The Edit, are being progressively delivered from now through to 2027. The Edit and the Lotte Duty Free expansion will be progressively delivered between now and 2029. Brisbane Airport is currently undergoing a $5 billion Future BNE transformation, while welcoming 25 million travellers a year and connecting Queensland to 35 international destinations. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]