Newcastle Airport: Trial service to NZ stimulated traffic, moves airport closer to more intl routes

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said Virgin Australia's trial operation to New Zealand "stimulated a new market for Auckland tourism", although there is "still work to be done" to attract New Zealand nationals to travel to Newcastle and the Hunter region (Port Stephens Examiner, 28-Feb-2019). The airport was "very pleased with how the route performed" and is "working towards" a year round service to New Zealand, which will mean investing in destination marketing for the region said Dr Cock. He also noted the airport's success in operating international passenger processing facilities "takes Newcastle Airport a giant step closer to attracting new routes and interest from other airlines." Virgin Australia operated Newcastle-Auckland service between 22-Nov-2018 and 17-Feb-2019.