Newcastle Airport to welcome first direct flights from Hobart

The Minns Labor Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund (AAF) will support a brand-new seasonal flight from Hobart to Newcastle, connecting the two cities directly for the first time.

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Serviced by Jetstar’s Airbus A320, the new service will start on 2 December 2025 and run three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, right through to 21 April 2026. The seasonal flights will return each summer through to 2028.

Destination NSW is working with Jetstar and Hobart Airport to help promote the service – the third new route to be launched this year, which has already connected Newcastle with Denpasar, in Bali, with flights starting 21 October, and Perth on 8 September 2025. It also marks a key milestone in the airport’s future-facing strategy, arriving just days after the official opening of its new international terminal, which greatly expands domestic capacity and sets the stage for future long-haul connections.

For Newcastle Airport, the new international terminal will unlock opportunities for the region, welcoming more visitors and turbocharging local tourism and trade. The Minns Labor Government will continue to work with Newcastle Airport to secure new routes. 

Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the Hobart route is the latest example of Newcastle Airport enabling more travel choice, supporting the local economy and opening up new opportunities for the region. “Newcastle is one of Australia’s fastest-growing centres with the Hunter Region holding its own on a global stage and we are roud to connect people to the places that matter to them,” Mr Horton said.

It is also a transformational time for the NSW visitor economy amid the recently announced Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which emphasises the need for investment in aviation capacity to achieve the government’s major growth ambitions and that strategy’s expenditure goals.

The strategy sets out a bold new roadmap to generate $91 billion in visitor expenditure by 2035, with a target of 8.5 million new airline seats, as well as 40,000 more hotel rooms and an additional 150,000 jobs.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper said,  “The strategy outlines a need to add 8.5 million new airline seats to NSW airports to achieve our ambitions for the visitor economy and this new route from Hobart to Newcastle brings us one step closer to that.”

The AAF funding for the Hobart-Newcastle flight is just one way in which the Minns Labor Government is boosting aviation capacity, with two other aviation funds announced this year – the $12.5 million NSW Take Off Fund and the $16 million Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund.

These investments, combined with work across accommodation, jobs, events, marketing and industry support and development, will ensure that supply meets growing demand, making it easier and more attractive for people to visit NSW.

With Newcastle Airport now offering direct flights to 12 destinations, over 250 weekly flights, and a catchment of 1.4 million residents, this new route further strengthens the airport’s role as an important gateway to the Hunter and NSW.

Whether you’re off to MONA, Salamanca Markets or Cradle Mountain, you can now do it directly from the airport that’s just up the road. Visit www.newcastleairport.com.au for flight information