Newcastle International Airport is the biggest airport in the North East of England serving just below 5.5 million passengers per year. The airport opened in 1935 at a cost of £35,000, the airfield consisted of a clubhouse and a grass runway. In the Second World War the airfield was taken over by the RAF as an auxiliary airfield and was handed back once the war had finished.

By the 1950’s the British favourite of a package holiday had become a thing and regular flights to places such as the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands were fairly regular, with scheduled services being at a high of 35 per week, the airport was now serving 5,500 passengers per a year.

The airport has since developed over time into a leading regional airport in the UK with routes connecting North East travellers to the world through European hubs and daily flights to Dubai from Emirates. Package holidays have remained at the airport and are now offered by household names such as Tui, Thomas Cook, Jet2 and more. This comes as the airport has just upgraded the terminal to make a much more efficient and pleasant experience. As a regular flyer the author has never had to stand long to await security screening and finds the whole experience a reasonable one.

Regular Airlines operating at Newcastle are Air France (Operated by HOP & Cityjet), British Airways, Easyjet, Emirates, Eurowings, Jet2, KLM, Ryanair and Tui, although there are several others with a smaller frequency. The RAF also use the airport for approaches fairly often which brings in heavy transport aircraft as well as fast jets.

Written by Rob Smith (Regular visitor). Last update February 2020

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Airport Information
Runways
07/25	2.329 m
Terminals	One for all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Nor required.
Car/Public Transport	A car is helpful as the spots at the 25 end aren’t well connected although there is a bus service. Metro service to Callerton and the Airport can be used instead of a car to reach the 07 spots.
Restrooms	Located inside the airport terminal or at Kingston Park supermarket or food establishments.
Drinks/Food	Many options here, the airport terminal offers food and beverage outlets, as well as local stores at Dinnington and Hazelrigg which are both close to the 25 end. For McDonalds, Dominos, Costa and Tesco the Kingston Park Retail Park is home to them all (Postcode NE3 2PA)
Hotels	Various hotels located close to the airport, Premier Inn, Doubletree by Hilton and Britannia hotels are all located within close vicinity to the airport terminal & metro station.
Season	The UK weather system is often unpredictable, however all spots can be visited in winter or summer.
07/25	Prevailing winds often mean that RWY 25 is in use.

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	Spot #1 – Havannah Nature Reserve – 25 arrivals
WHERE	The first location is at the parking of the “Havannah Nature Reserve”, which is on the opposite side of the terminal. The car park is just off coach lane with ample parking. A small patch of grass is there is there next to the entrance where you can stand on. There is a bus stop directly at the park. Use line 44 from the city center to Dinnington.
WHAT	You can see all arrivals to runway 25 here and get side on shots of the aircraft. If you prefer more head on shots just go out and walk to the junction of Coach Ln and Main Rd (second mark on the map).
TIME	In winter perfect for the whole day. In summer backlit from late afternoon.
MISC.	Parking here is free, litter bins are provided so please use them.
FOCAL LENGTH	Focal length 70-200 is ample for most aircraft types, 300mm+ for GA aircraft.

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	Spot #2 – Main Road – 07 departures
WHERE	Not far from the previous spot. Just drive down on the main road for 400 meters. Parking here is in a small layby at the side of the road opposite the dip in the hedge.
WHAT	Best for departure shots of aircraft off runway 07 can be taken from here, a particular favourite is with the Air Traffic Control tower behind. You can see all arrivals to runway 25 here and get side on shots of the aircraft but you are more far away as from #1.
TIME	In winter perfect for the whole day. In summer backlit in early morning hours and from late afternoon.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Parking is limited.
FOCAL LENGTH	Focal length 300mm for aircraft with the tower in the background. Same for departure shots once they’re overhead the threshold.

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	Spot #3 – Callerton Farm – 07 arrivals
WHERE	Up a public footpath / farm track into a large turning circle. Parking here is in Callerton metro station car park (£1 fee all day) Exit the car park and cross the motorway bridge, follow the road until a few cottages on the right hand side, go up the farm track next to them to the turning circle. By public transport use the green line from the city to the airport and get off at Callerton metro station.
WHAT	You can see all arrivals to runway 07, side shots only.
TIME	In winter perfect for the whole day. In summer backlit from late afternoon.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Closest facilities in the Premier Inn hotel at the station. There is a restaurant as well.
FOCAL LENGTH	Focal length 70-200mm for most aircraft.

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	Spot #4 – Field – View of the Runway
WHERE	Up on a public footpath following on from spot 3 along the fields. Parking here is in Callerton metro station car park (£1 fee all day) as well. From spot 3 follow the public footpath signs until in line with landing lights.
WHAT	You can see all arrivals to runway 07, underbelly shots, departures from 25 are head on.
TIME	Backlit in the morning hours and getting better in the afternoon. Winter is better due to low bushes.
MISC.	Absolutey nothing nearby!
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm depending on aircraft type.

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