Newcastle Airport wins big at 2025 Business Hunter Awards
- intouch Magazine
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
Newcastle Airport has taken out four major honours at the 2025 Business Hunter Awards, including the coveted Business of the Year title, in a powerful show of regional recognition for the work the airport is doing to connect communities, drive growth and support the Hunter and beyond.
The airport was also awarded Contribution to the Region, Excellence in Sustainability and Outstanding Employee for Matthew Borger, Airlines and Partnerships Manager, in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 600 guests on Friday night at NEX Newcastle. The Contribution to the Region award is particularly significant, recognising the airport’s growing role in enabling tourism, trade, defence and industry right across the Hunter.
The wins cap off a milestone week for the airport, with the launch of direct flights to Perth for the first time ever and international services to Bali set to commence from 21 October.
Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said the recognition reflects the team’s focus on long-term value and regional impact.
“Thank you, Business Hunter, I’m incredibly proud to see our team recognised for the impact they’re making,” Mr Horton said.
“At Newcastle Airport, our purpose is clear… to be the airport the region deserves. These awards speak to the momentum we’ve built and the trust our community continues to place in us.”
“We’ve worked hard to reframe what this airport means to our region. From delivering a new international terminal to launching new routes, we’re connecting people to more opportunity, and building an airport that can serve our region for decades to come.”
The Business of the Year award recognised Newcastle Airport’s strategic role in the region’s economic growth, while the Contribution to the Region award highlighted the airport’s expanding impact across tourism, aviation, defence and industry. The Excellence in Sustainability award acknowledged its leadership in sustainable design and operations.
A key contributor to the Excellence in Sustainability award was Newcastle Airport becoming the first airport in Australia to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Level 4+, placing it among the top 12 per cent of airports worldwide for carbon management. This milestone recognised a long-term, whole-of-business approach to reducing emissions and embedding sustainability into the airport’s future.
The airport reached Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024, six years ahead of its target, through initiatives including a 100% renewable energy supply, certified carbon offsets for business travel and operations, a 5-Star Green Star ‘Designed’ assessment for the airport’s international terminal and infrastructure that supports low-emissions travel. This work was further backed by a sustainability-linked green loan and long-term investments into EV infrastructure and solar generation.
The now completed international terminal will deliver $12.7 billion in economic benefit over the next 20 years, including $6.2 billion into the visitor economy, $6.5 billion in new freight activity and the creation of more than 4,000 jobs. These benefits will extend well beyond the Hunter, strengthening NSW’s regional economy and global trade capability.
Accepting awards on the night, Executive General Manager People and Communications, Burcak Sezer, acknowledged the shared efforts behind the airport’s success.
“These awards reflect the work of a committed team of people who care deeply about this region and who show up every day to build something that goes well beyond flights,” Ms Sezer said. “We’ve transformed the way we communicate, connect and grow and this recognition is proof that our region sees the value of what we’re building together.”
“The new international terminal is the collective result of strong advocacy from right across the Hunter. It has been a true partnership between business, government and our community and Business Hunter has been a key voice in that effort.
“We are grateful to everyone who continues to support our efforts to ensure the Hunter’s airport truly works for the Hunter.
“With new routes, new partnerships and a new international terminal making the Hunter a launchpad for global connectivity, we’re proud to connect our community to even more opportunities for business, tourism and trade.”
Visit www.newcastleairport.com.au for flight information and to learn more about the airport’s vision for the future.
