A new cargo hub at Newcastle Airport, named AirLink, could create hundreds of jobs and provide a £165m annual boost to the North East.
The 750,000 sq ft site is being marketed by Newcastle Airport, with the search for businesses already under way.
A planning application is due to be submitted later this year, and the airport has a preferred developer for the site, which remains unnamed. Located south of the runway, AirLink will allow tenants direct access to the airport apron for swift loading and unloading of cargo, making it ideal for businesses handling time-sensitive shipments.
Once built, AirLink could generate up to 1,400 direct jobs, with an additional 1,200 roles created through supply chains and business partners. The plans were unveiled at Mipim, a four-day real estate conference held in Cannes, France.
Newcastle Airport is set to unveil plans for its AirLink development site, a key project expected to support its burgeoning cargo operations, which saw a record-breaking 6,000 tonnes handled in 2024. Alice Andreasen, the airport's chief sustainability and communications officer, stated: "AirLink is a landmark development that could create high-quality jobs, generate millions for the local economy and unlock new opportunities for businesses. Presenting this project at Mipim has been an incredible opportunity to showcase the North East's vast potential on a global stage and reinforce its status as a prime destination for investment.
"We look forward to working with Newcastle City Council to bring AirLink to life, further strengthening the region as a major hub for international trade and economic growth.", reports .
Michelle Percy, director of investment and growth at Newcastle City Council, remarked: "Newcastle Airport plays a central role in ensuring our city remains an attractive and accessible destination and the development of Airlink will provide a home for the ambitious, export-oriented businesses we are looking to bring to Newcastle. With the potential to create thousands of high-quality jobs, Airlink will strengthen the region's logistics and supply chain capabilities, supporting key sectors such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences."
Keith Stewart, partner at property agents Naylors Gavin Black, commented: "We are delighted to be working alongside Newcastle Airport to bring forward this exciting much needed development where units proposed from 8,000 sq. ft up to 170,000 sq. ft can be provided suitable for a variety of uses to include air freight, cargo, logistics and advanced manufacturing. Together with a delivery partner and aligning to the ambitions of the Airport, we will be promoting the site and the opportunities available and MIPIM will be the start of that process."
Last year, Newcastle Airport reported its best financial results to date, revealing a 22% hike in revenues to £79.1 million for 2023, paired with a remarkable increase of 36% in operating profits amounting to £33.9 million. At the World Routes Conference in 2024, the airport was declared the overall winner and also took home the title of best in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and Ireland at the 2024 Travel Industry Awards.
