At last week’s announcement of Newcastle Airport’s financial year passenger results, CEO Dr Peter Cock, reminded the Hunter community to Go Smarter and make Newcastle Airport their point A when flying within Australia and overseas.

“The Hunter community is starting to realise it’s smarter to fly from their airport. More than 1.25 million of you passed through the terminal during financial year 2016/17, your airports best ever for passenger throughout,” said Peter.

“Your friends, family, and colleagues are realising how easy it is to use your airport. Whether you’re flying for a domestic or international trip, I urge you to rethink your local airport and give us a try.”

The financial year 2016/17 was the best on record for the airport. The year-on-year growth of 6.6%, or 77,490 passengers, was led by growth from all airlines on all major routes.

“Looking at our passenger demographics, the growth equates to 34,000 more business people who are able to live in the Hunter but do business in the world, and 40,000 more visits bringing family and friends together—or as I like to think, an extra 40,000 hugs in our terminal,” Peter said.

“Importantly, this result is such a great achievement for our region. It means that the airlines are taking notice of our region; they are putting in more seats into our market, andour community is responding by booking these extra seats.

“This is a great growth cycle to bein—and one we need to hold on to. Which is why I’m challenging our community to GoSmarter next time they fly.”

Newcastle Airport recently launched a new campaign into the market that highlights how easy, quick, smart, and—in many cases—more affordable it is to start your travel, be it for a domestic or international trip, from Newcastle Airport.

IMAGE |More than1.25 millionpeople use Newcastle Airport every year.