Newcastle Airport has announced 1,198,312 passengers used its facilities in 2013, an increase of 16,683 passengers or 1.4 per cent over the previous year.
The airport attributes the growth to increased services from Jetstar to the Gold Coast, as well as additional services from Virgin Australia to and from Brisbane. But these were partially offset by the October bushfires near the airport which disrupted operations for a number of days, and the collapse of regional operator Brindabella Airlines in November.
“If these hadn’t happened, we would have easily surpassed 1.2 million passengers in 2013,” airport CEO Paul Hughes said in a statement, adding that, “It’s pleasing to see growth again; 2011 and 2012 both were relatively flat years. It’s nice to have a turnaround and be in growth again.”
