Hotel opens at Newcastle Airport
Newcastle Airport says a new hotel, just metres from the Williamtown facility, will bolster its credentials to become an international airport.
Newcastle airport hoping the opening of a new airport hotel helps its bid to attract international flights. (Photo: ABC: Robert Virtue)
The $20-million hotel will be officially opened this morning, with guests able to stay from tomorrow night.
The Mercure has 95 rooms, a restaurant, bar and gym, as well as conference facilities for up to 100 delegates.
The airport's David Nye said negotiations with the airlines are continuing, in the lead up to an international terminal opening soon.
"Having a hotel literally seven minutes walk from the terminal is great when we're out there talking to airlines," he said.
"Having the ability to have crew staying so close to the airport when they're operating flights is again another great bonus, and something not many reigonal airports of our size around Australia can actually lay claim to."
The airport says the hotel will be crucial during billion dollar upgrades at the Williamtown RAAF base.
Mr Nye said upgrades at the base include infrastructure for the new Joint Strike Fighter jets, as well as a major runway extension.
"There's a lot of people coming to and from the RAAF base with contractors and obviously looking at the developments that are going on there," he said.
"Having a hotel right on the door step can only be good news in terms of people coming into the region."
Source: ABC News, July 31st 2015
Originally published as: Hotel opens at Newcastle Airport
