Newcastle Airport will 'continue to operate as normal' during £17 million runway resurfacing project
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveNewcastle Airport will "continue to operate as normal" as a £17 million scheme to resurface its runway gets underway.
Resurfacing works are scheduled to begin on Monday, November 4, and continue until March 2025, with the aim of future-proofing "one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure in the North East".
A team of up to 120 people will carry out the work between 11pm and 6pm, five nights a week, from Sunday to Thursday, with a two-week break over the Christmas period. There is no planned disruption to the airport's flight schedule for the duration of the works.
Over the course of the project, 32,750 tonnes of new materials will be laid over an area the size of 22 football pitches. A total of 1,267 runway lights will also be replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, which could reduce carbon emissions by 87 tonnes per year.
The airport claims it is another step towards achieving its 2035 Net Zero goal. Chief executive Nick Jones said the runway resurfacing marks a "significant milestone" in the Airport's history.
He said: "This investment will not only extend the overall lifespan of the runway and ensure we continue to provide vital connectivity for the North East region, but it will also support the Airport’s future growth and our long-term sustainability goals. The project has been carefully planned and we have worked closely with our airlines, local councils and business partners to ensure the Airport will continue to operate as normal."
Alongside the runway resurfacing project, a further £3 million will be invested this winter, with the intention of enhancing the Airport's departure lounge experience and the retail outlets. It follows a £20 million investment in the passenger experience earlier in the year, including the redevelopment of the departure lounge and the introduction of new security technology that allows passengers to leave liquids and electronics in their hand luggage.
In September, the airport announced its best-ever annual financial results, with a 22% increase in revenue to £79.1 million for 2023, and an operating profit increase of 36%, to stand at £33.9 million.
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