Newcastle Airport

Poor airport. Slow to bring steps to meet the plane; 45 minute queue to get through Passport Control and our bags had still not arrived. Then chaos at the drop/pick-up zone as mini-buses blocked access for other road users. Compared with the efficiency at Durham Tees Valley and Leeds-Bradford one to avoid.

The terminal has now been renovated meaning that prices have gone up for instance I saved $6 on a tank of petrol by re-fuelling my mid size rental car 10 km before I got to the airport - both airport service stations were charging maximum price presumably on the assumption that customers had nowhere else to go. There's a Hungry Jack's burger outlet which provides standard fast food fare - probably the best food value in the airport because their prices are the same as any other Hungry Jack's outlet and not inflated by the airport location. The "Insomnia" coffee bar was charging between $3.50 and $5 for a long black coffee - not cheap in my opinion. There's a water fountain right next to the entrance to the toilets so most people would probably pay $3 to a vendor for a bottle but to be fair - there is a water fountain. The check in desks only specify the airline and don't have details of flights. So it's possible to wait 20 minutes in line only to be told "We're not checking in that flight yet come back at 4.40 pm" (but that's after no effort has previously been made to communicate this information to people in the line). The airline makes a lot of fuss about its free wireless hotspots but I haven't tried it so can't attest to its speed or quality. It's a small country airport as has been said previously in this forum so it's a matter of walking on the tarmac out to the aircraft. And I would agree it's reasonably friendly although after being singled out for an explosives check for the umpteenth time I'm beginning to wonder what the criteria are for selecting someone for this process. There are no airline lounges but the seats provided are reasonably comfortable and the ambience is OK.

Newcastle Airport more like Newcastle car park! Its disgusting the rates charged to park here short or long stay. The drop off zone which allows you ten minutes grace before you begin paying the rates has just been shrunk. So no you pass though the barrier and wait in a queue for sometimes over ten minutes before you are able to get to the curb side and drop off hence you are then charged - well done Newcastle Airport you truly are international.

I fly from Newcastle regularly (mostly to Milan Brussels and London). Never had a problem. the Metro connection is just perfect and if you need to be in the "toon" it will take you only 20 minutes and 2 quid. The bars are decent albeit a bit overpriced and the departure lounge is alright. As airports go this is not a bad one. The only issue is obviously the outrageous drop-off charge. A real rip-off!

I quite like Newcastle airport even though there is no viewing area until you get to the departure gate. It is at least reasonably ventilated. There is a well-stocked chemist although food is a problem because it is unhealthy and expensive. Anyone who wants a plain cheese roll/sandwich without industrial mayonnaise or antisocial onions is out of luck. The usual dank offerings are on sale. Everything is grossly overpriced. The croissants are quite nice but ludicrously expensive. The miniature ones are over a pound. Sometimes the selection is not available because the oven is churning out those tasteless muffins. There is no proper bookshop only a Smith’s. The choice of reading material is not inspiring. Luckily we’ve never been delayed much. At least there are not a plethora of those boring “shopping opportunities” selling unnecessary toot. The charge for drop-offs/pickups doesn’t affect us but I am not impressed by it.

Totally agree with last post to the point I now refuse to fly from this airport. It is very badly managed with the most basic of facilities unless you like fast food and overpiced awful beer.

Right now (May 2005) it's going through renovations so the Arrivals are via temporary structures. Departures are functional but very simple. If you are hungry there's just a small kiosk with sandwiches and pies and soft drinks. If you want a serious meal before leaving then get it elsewhere. It's just a small country airport. Staff are pleasant enough.

Small but only a regional airport. Staff are pleasant as they are in all of Australia I find. Security a little lax as if they believe nothing could happen in their part of the World. All in all nice experience decent little cafe and convenient if you're in the area.