Statement from Jude Munro AO, Board Chair, Newcastle Airport

The last decade has seen significant, and positive, transformation of Newcastle Airport and the region it proudly serves.

As Australia’s sixth largest airport outside the capital cities, Newcastle Airport contributes more than $1.16 billion to the NSW economy each year, including $300 million direct to the visitor economy which supports over 5,700 full-time employees across tourism and our Airport cluster.

Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Cock recently indicated to the Board his intention to move back to Western Australia with his family in the New Year.

On behalf of the Newcastle Airport Board and team, I would like to thank Peter for his significant contributions and outstanding dedication over the last almost 10 years of leadership as CEO.

We share with Peter immense pride in his record of achievement as CEO. During his tenure he has:

• Taken the Airport from a small regional airport to the ceremony held recently to “top out” the International Terminal.
• Established Astra Aerolab from a concept to a reality with a pipeline of $200M of development.
• Secured government funding that has launched the airport on a trajectory to support the Hunter region in its economic growth.
• Increased the value of the Airport from $60m to $430m over the last 10 years.
• Significantly expanded the Airport’s route network.
• Championed sustainability with Newcastle Airport arguably now the most environmentally sustainable airport in Australia.

Additionally, Peter also led the Airport through the uncertainty and very difficult years of the pandemic, providing reassurance and leadership to our many stakeholders and communities

Peter Cock said, "It has been a privilege to lead Newcastle Airport over the last decade and I have been fortunate to work with a team of passionate people dedicated to delivering the Airport the region deserves.

The growth and transformation of the Airport and Astra Aerolab over this time has been significant and the relationships established will help the Airport to continue to grow and prosper, helping to connect the people of the Hunter to the world.

I am enormously proud of what has been achieved in this time, and there is still work to be done. I leave knowing Newcastle Airport is in a strong position and I look forward to seeing the Airport continue to grow in the future."

The Board is now commencing a search for a CEO to transition the Airport to its next stage of development.

We will be recruiting at an exciting time, as the Airport transitions to its new stage of growth. The next chapter will see a new CEO overseeing greater domestic passenger growth and expansion into international routes. We are looking for a visionary leader who will work with the Board to deliver significant property development, a contemporary workplace, and technological uplift.

We will continue to forge and foster relationships with key stakeholders in the region and support their efforts to grow regional economic growth.

I, along with my Board colleagues, wish Peter and his family well in their return to Western Australia.