Newcastle Airport kicks off 90th birthday celebrations with exhibitions across the North East
2nd July 2025
Newcastle Airport is kicking off its 90th birthday celebrations with a host of exhibitions across the region.
The first exhibition officially opened at the Airport today and showcases its remarkable history – opening with just a handful of buildings, one hangar and a strip of grass in 1935 to becoming an award-winning major regional Airport connecting the North East to the world.
Visitors can delve into key moments of the Airport’s past, including its vital role during World War Two training pilots in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, thousands of people giving US President Jimmy Carter a real Geordie welcome during his visit to the region in 1977 and the significant investments to transform the runway, terminal and air traffic control tower over the years.
Alongside the timeline, a fascinating collection of artefacts will also be on display, including vintage cabin crew uniforms, pieces of the runway and a commemorative plaque featuring the handprints of Geordie favourites Ant and Dec, unveiled during the terminal extension in 2004.
The exhibition will be on display in the terminal throughout the year, with the Airport celebrating its 90th birthday on 26 July.
A second exhibition will open at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle city centre at the end of July. It will then tour the region, moving to the Sunderland Museum and Gardens and The Word in South Shields from September.
Alice Andreasen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Newcastle Airport, said: “Celebrating 90 years is a proud milestone for everyone at Newcastle Airport.
“The exhibition gives a fascinating insight into how far we’ve come – from our first eight-seater aircraft flying to and from London, to welcoming 5.2 million passengers last year and offering direct flights to over 80 destinations and more than 300 onward connections worldwide.
“As our passenger numbers and route network have grown, so too has our impact on the region. We’re proud to contribute more than £1bn annually to the North East’s economy and be one of the region’s largest employers, with more than 3,200 staff working on the Airport site.
“This exhibition is just the beginning of our 90th anniversary celebrations and we are excited to mark this major milestone with our passengers, partners and local communities.”
Keith Merrin, Director of North East Museums, said: “It’s exciting that North East Museums is playing a part in the celebration of this important regional milestone by helping create this exhibition. Newcastle Airport has made such a significant positive impact on the North East.
“We’re proud to showcase innovation and the resilient spirit of the region in our museums, and Newcastle Airport has been a large part of that story. I’m sure visitors to the exhibition will be fascinated.”
As part of the celebrations, the Airport has also launched a dedicated website featuring more stories and milestones from its 90-year history.
To find out more, visit: ncl90.com