Geordie stars Ant and Dec came back home to unveil a £7m terminal extension at Newcastle Airport.
The pair added a touch of showbiz glamour as they officially opened the development which is aimed at improving facilities for passengers flying out.
The extension doubles the size of the departure lounge and includes leisure and retail facilities.
Ant and Dec said they were regular users of the airport, with frequent trips to and from London and abroad.
The pair said they delighted to be back home and to open something which was part of the region’s regeneration.
Hand prints
Dec said: “The city over the past few year – the regeneration going on here. And even though it didn’t get the Capital of Culture, regeneration is still going on through fantastic initiatives in Newcastle and Gateshead.
“Having this airport gets a lot more people to come through the region and experience it.”
The ceremony included them leaving hand prints in clay for a plaque to mark the occasion.
The terminal development is part of the Newcastle’s aim to transform it into one of Europe’s leading regional airports.
Passenger numbers for 2004 are expected to reach close to five million and 10 million by 2016.
Airport chief executive John Parkin described the opening of the terminal as being an “exciting” time for the airport.
He said future developments planned for the airport include a £2m investment in parking and new hotel and office developments.
Flights are due to run to two new destinations – Sharm el Sheikh, in Egypt, this winter and the Dominican Republic from Summer 2005.
By 2016, it is expected the airport will support up to 18,300 jobs in the region.
By: Arabella-Cox - 13th August 2004 at 22:32
Thanks for the info nclair, do you work at the airport?
By: nclair - 13th August 2004 at 19:22
New viewing area & visitors bar/cafe
Can anyone remember a few years ago when domestic departures used to be downstairs??? Yes, well that area is still there and is a dead space at the moment. So the whole area behind check-in on ground floor is going to be converted into a viewing area, cafe and bar. In fact the cafe is already there as it is Caf̩ Pronto now which is currently airside Рthis will change to landside.
There will be no new facilities on the first floor, as that is ALL departures now. Costa will be having a makeover though!
There is no new actual building projects planned at all.
By: Arabella-Cox - 13th August 2004 at 18:22
Well, at least Newcastle is getting something out of viewing facilities.
By: Britannia - 13th August 2004 at 17:05
Well the man that I talked to said:
‘There are plans to add a bar and viewing facilities in front of them emergency stairs’
By: Britannia - 13th August 2004 at 17:00
By the way I have also been informed that the post ‘Hurk’ is going to be swapped for an antonov in the next few months.
By: Britannia - 13th August 2004 at 16:56
It’s a bar and viewing area.
By: Britannia - 13th August 2004 at 13:20
Isn’t the bar gonna be upstairs? There isn’t any room downstairs.
Somebody told me that it was going to be built in the area shown below
By: Ren Frew - 13th August 2004 at 07:09
they are the best duo presenters in uk they have done im a celebrity get me out of here. citv, Saturday Night Takeaway etc.
Just don’t mention that dodgy remake of the classic “Don’t tell us the score” episode of The Likely Lads.
By: EAL_KING - 13th August 2004 at 01:49
they are the best duo presenters in uk they have done im a celebrity get me out of here. citv, Saturday Night Takeaway etc.
By: steve rowell - 13th August 2004 at 01:30
Who the f*ck are Ant and Dec
By: nclair - 12th August 2004 at 20:16
ok lets clear some things up about new facilities at NCL.
The new departure lounge is now open (3 times as big as before) with floor to ceiling view of whole airport apron and runway – really spectacular. Inside is now the food court, burger king, 2 bars, 1 coffee shop, whsmith, boots, other shops, kids play area, sushi bar, duty free etc.
The visitors facilities are yet to open. They will open in 5/6 weeks time on the same level as the check-in. And will provide a view of runway, a bar and cafe.
There will be no viewing terrace at all, as there is simply no where to put it. and also for security reasons.
The airport is now looking fantastic. Rivals anything of other airports in the country.
By: cheesebag - 12th August 2004 at 20:15
I hate Ant and Dec, somebody get rid of them please. Why on earth are they opening the airport expansion, cant they have somebody who would be more useful like Alistair Darling or John Prescott, even somebody like Jimmy Nail would be better than them pair of loosers.
Why on earth would you want these idiots anywhere near your local airport…. Don’t get me started on this government, you’ll never stop me 😡 😡 😡
Are they going to rename NCL Byker grove international in honour of the famous two???
I’m showing my age, I’ll get my coat……. 😀
By: Britannia - 12th August 2004 at 12:48
I’m going on the 20th
By: Pembo330 - 12th August 2004 at 12:23
Ant and Dec are great! 🙂
BTW, I was at Newcastle some weeks ago and the chaos there was awful; the terminal really was a dismal place. I’m off there again (5 weeks today) so I can’t wait to see what the improvments look like. Ceiling to floor glass I here giving decent runway viewing…..must make sure I get there nice and early! 🙂
By: andrewm - 12th August 2004 at 05:58
I like Ant and Dec but if anyone reads their quote in original message – i thought they had better english skills than that or is it a Geordie thing?
By: steve rowell - 12th August 2004 at 04:34
Do Geordie lasses have to travel in the cargo hold with all the other “pets” ?
Ooooooooooh! Allen, Allen, Allen,
By: Pablo - 11th August 2004 at 21:19
Do Geordie lasses have to travel in the cargo hold with all the other “pets” ?
LOL – suddenly reminded me of this story yet again 😉
By: Ren Frew - 11th August 2004 at 19:41
Do Geordie lasses have to travel in the cargo hold with all the other “pets” ?
By: Speedbird 12T - 11th August 2004 at 19:35
Its a Geordie airport opened by Geordie people, and i must say the Chronicle had some great headlines:
‘Ant and flight dec’
‘Im a celebrity jet me out of here’
By: Ren Frew - 11th August 2004 at 18:40
I used to work with Ant and Dec when they were PJ and Duncan, nice lads awful records !
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August 11, 2004 at 5:49 pm