Newcastle Airport international flights begin next week

Newcastle Airport goes international a week from today with $199 one-way direct Virgin Australia fights to Auckland. NSW Police announced today they will remain in charge of security at the upgraded terminal.

Newcastle Airport goes international a week from today with $199 one-way direct Virgin Australia fights to Auckland.

While security arrangements will be tightened up for the new Trans Tasman flights from the upgraded terminal, NSW Police today announced they will remain in charge.

Newcastle Airport has been upgraded to include international routes

“The airport’s classification has moved from category three to category two, but it’s not deemed a “designated” facility, so there’s no requirement for the Australian Federal Police to staff the airport,” Port Stephens-Hunter Commander, Detective Superintendent Craig Jackson, said.

He said the AFP had begun training local officers to deal with international crime detection and the prosecution of offences under state and federal legislation.

“There are new areas of policing for us to consider, relating to importation, immigration and aviation offences, as well as the airport’s own procedures,” Supt Jackson said.

The new flights mean savings in time and money for passengers travelling from the Greater Hunter Region who currently have to travel to Sydney or Brisbane to catch a flight to New Zealand.

Special $199 one-way direct Virgin Australia fights from Newcastle to Auckland. Picture: Dan Peled

Virgin Australia said that from November 22, there will be 13,000 additional seats across the busy holiday season with three return services per week.

Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock has said that community support for direct international services had been “extremely strong”.

“This seasonal flight is a huge step forward in becoming a second international gateway into NSW,” Dr Cook has said.

The Port Stephens-Hunter Police District has been working closely with the airport, Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force to prepare for the changes.