Newcastle, 5 January 2026 — Newcastle Airport has opened a new free Waiting Zone for taxis, private cars and minibuses as it prepares for what is expected to be the busiest year in its history, with passenger numbers forecast to reach six million in 2026, as reported by The WP Times, citing the airport’s official website.
The new Newcastle Airport Waiting Zone is located at Callerton Parkway, next to Callerton Parkway Metro station, and provides a secure, designated place where drivers can wait for arriving passengers for up to 90 minutes free of charge before collecting them from the terminal.
The facility replaces the previous 15-minute free drop-off period at the Short Stay 2 car park, which had become increasingly congested as traffic at the airport continued to grow.
From 6 January 2026, the airport will also launch a free electric shuttle bus connecting the Waiting Zone directly to the terminal entrance. The zero-emission shuttle will operate every 30 minutes, allowing passengers to travel quickly and conveniently between the terminal and the pick-up area.
Newcastle Airport said the new system is designed to reduce congestion at the terminal frontage, improve safety and provide a smoother experience for both travellers and drivers.
Dean Ward, Director of Commercial at Newcastle Airport, said:
“2026 is set to be the busiest year in Newcastle Airport’s history. As a result of further investment from our airline partners, including the launch of easyJet’s new base in March, we are preparing to welcome a record six million passengers.
“To support this significant growth, we are delighted to expand our car parking facilities and open our new Waiting Zone, which provides the public and taxi drivers with a free, safe area to wait before picking up passengers. This is an important part of our ongoing investment to ensure we continue to deliver a world-class experience while developing our infrastructure for the long term.”
Local authorities have welcomed the move. John Littleton of Woolsington Parish Council said the new zone would help prevent taxis and private cars from parking in nearby residential streets while waiting for flights to arrive.
“The safe, designated area for drivers to wait before picking up passengers will reduce the number of vehicles parking on residential roads and help keep our community safe. We strongly encourage everyone to use the new facilities and park responsibly,” he said.
The Waiting Zone also includes a 12-bay ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging station, supporting the airport’s target of reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2035. Planning permission has also been granted for a drive-through coffee outlet, with construction expected to start later in 2026.
The project forms part of Newcastle Airport’s wider £60 million investment programme across 2025 and 2026, which includes expanding the terminal to create a larger departure lounge and a new international baggage hall.
What Newcastle Airport is and why it matters
Newcastle International Airport is the main airport for North East England, serving passengers from Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria. It offers direct flights to more than 80 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
Major airlines operating from Newcastle include easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, KLM and British Airways, with routes to cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Dubai, Istanbul, Faro and Tenerife. The airport is also a key hub for holiday flights to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and the Canary Islands. With easyJet opening a new base in 2026, Newcastle Airport is positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing regional airports in the UK, competing with Manchester, Leeds Bradford and Edinburgh for both leisure and business travel.
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