Information on Newcastle International Airport

Newcastle International Airport is located next to the Village of Ponteland 6 miles (11 km) North West of Central Newcastle, close to the A1 and offering quick access to Newcastle City, Tyneside and the UK. Newcastle Airport with its single runway and terminal building serves 30 airlines flying to over 80 destinations worldwide. Although the airport is in Newcastle it is actually owned by seven local authorities (51%) and Copenhagen Airport (49%). The seven authorities are mode up of Durham County Council, Gateshead MBC, City of Newcastle, North Tyneside MBC, Northumberland County Council, South Tyneside MBC and City of Sunderland. Newcastle International Airport was voted the North's favourite airport in a survey carried out by Wanderlust travel magazine.

On 26th July 1935 the then Secretary of State for Air, Sir Phillip Cuncliffe-Lister opend the airport which consisted of a clubhouse, hanger, worshops, fuel garage and a grass runway. In the early 1950s ex RAF fighter pilot Jim Denyer was appointed as Airport Manager with the Airport serving Jersey and the Isle of Wight. In the 1960s British people started taking holidays abroad instead of the United Kingdom, as a result a new runway was built along with an apron and new air traffic control tower. In the 1970s the airports status was changed to a Catergory B, making it a regional International Airport. Further investment followed in the 1980s and in 2000 a new £27 million extension was opened by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, and in 2001 Copenhagen Airports aquired a 49% stake in the airport.

Newcastle was the first regional  airport in the United KIngdom to install common self use service kioska in its terminal, thus allowing passengers to check-in themselves  without the need to queue at conventional check-in desks.

The city of Newcastle owes its name to the castle built in 1080 by Robert II, the eldest son of William the Conqueror. Newcastle grew as an important centre for wool trade and later it became a major coal mining area. In the 16th Century a port developed along with shipyards, with the city amongst the world's largest shipbuilders and repairers. Although these basic industries have now gone with the regeneration of the city into an administrative and cultural centre. Around the city you will find Georgian and Victorian architecture. The city has a good nightlife, and is very popular with stag and hen parties.

Newcastles main icons are Newcastle Brown Ale, a leading brand of beer, Newcastle United FC, also known as The Magpies playing in the Premier League and based at St James' Park, Newcastle Diamonds Speedway Team based at Brough Park Byker and the world's most popular half marathon, the Great North Run.

Main tourist attractions include 'The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art', the Discovery Museum' Newcastle biggest museum, the Hancock museum which contains important natural history collections and the 'Museum of Antiquities' which is a major archaeological museum and the 'Shefton museum of Greek Art and Archeology', the 'Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museums'.

The 'Tanfield Railway' is claimed to be the World's oldest working railway and dates from 1725. The main engine shed at Marley Hill is the world's second oldest locomotive shed in the world, behind one in Egypt. The railway was originally built to transport coal from the collieries nearby to the River Tyne. Preserved steam and diesel locomotives operate on the 6 miles stretch of track on Sundays throughout the year.

Britain's first urban light rail transit system 'Tyne and Wear Metro, which opened in five phases between 1980 and 1984 serves the city with suburban and underground railways. The Metro system is also the first in the UK to have mobile phone antennae installed in the tunnels.

The are several major shopping areas in and around the city of Newcastle, Eldon Square, Eldon Garden, Monument Mall, Newgate Centre, Central Arcade, Grainger Market and the MetroCentre, the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe, which is located in Gateshead. The main shopping street in the city is Northumberland Street. Kingston Park on the edge of Newcastle is home to the United Kingdoms largest Tesco store.

Concert venues include the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle City Hall, Carling Academy Newcastle, with smaller venues at, the Head of Steam, Trillians Rock Bar, the Cluny and the Cumberland Arms




Newcastle is twinned with the following cities around the world.

*Atlanta - United States of America
*Bergen  - Norway
*Gelsenkirchen - Germany
*Groningen - Netherlands
*Haifa - Israel
*Nancy - France
*Malmo - Sweden
*Newcstle - Australia
*Newcastle - South Africa
*Taiyuan - People's Republic of China

By Taxi

Take the strain out of getting to and from the airport by booking your airport taxis through us at www.TaxiTransfers4U.co.uk and rest assured there will be no need to worry about finding our driver when you arrive, even if your flight is delayed there won't be a problem as the driver will be keeping an eye on the flight arrival time, after landing and collecting your bags our driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a welcome board with your name on it, where he/she will meet and greet you and help you with your luggage before taking you onto your designated destination.

Please remember to confirm all your flight details before leaving for the airport and to insure you have all your documentation for your trip. Taxi Transfers 4U wish you a pleasant journey and hope to see you in the future.