Newcastle Airport To Welcome First Direct Flights From Hobart

NSW Gov

The Minns Labor Government's Aviation Attraction Fund (AAF) will support a brand-new seasonal flight from Hobart to Newcastle, connecting the two cities directly for the first time.

On 2 December 2025, Jetstar will launch the seasonal route, which will operate three times a week from December to April, a link that will give Tasmanians direct access to NSW's second biggest city.

The route will unlock access to new visitors for Newcastle and the Hunter, providing a boost for businesses and jobs throughout the region's visitor economy.

Destination NSW is working with Jetstar and Hobart Airport to help promote the service - the third new route this year to be launched through the Minns Labor Government's AAF, which has already connected Newcastle with Denpasar, in Bali, and Perth in 2025.

The new service comes at a transformational time for Newcastle Airport. Its new international terminal will unlock opportunities for the region, welcoming more visitors and turbocharging local tourism and trade. The Minns Labor Government will continue to work with Newcastle Airport to secure new routes.

It is also a transformational time for the NSW visitor economy amid the recently announced Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which emphasises the need for investment in aviation capacity to achieve the government's major growth ambitions and that strategy's expenditure goals.

The strategy sets out a bold new roadmap to generate $91 billion in visitor expenditure by 2035, with a target of 8.5 million new airline seats, as well as 40,000 more hotel rooms and an additional 150,000 jobs.

The AAF funding for the Hobart-Newcastle flight is just one way in which the Minns Labor Government is boosting aviation capacity, with two other aviation funds announced this year - the $12.5 million NSW Take Off Fund and the $16 million Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund.

These investments, combined with work across accommodation, jobs, events, marketing and industry support and development, will ensure that supply meets growing demand, making it easier and more attractive for people to visit NSW.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

"The Minns Labor Government is proud to have worked with Newcastle Airport and Jetstar to secure this new seasonal route, which will boost the local visitor economy and better link Tasmanians to Newcastle and the Hunter.

"The recently launched Visitor Economy Strategy sets out our vision to grow the NSW visitor economy to $91 billion in visitor expenditure by 2035, and increasing domestic aviation capacity will be instrumental in achieving this.

"The strategy outlines a need to add 8.5 million new airline seats to NSW airports to achieve our ambitions for the visitor economy and this new route from Hobart to Newcastle brings us one step closer to that."

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

"Tassie here we come! This is devilishly good news for the people of Port Stephens and the Hunter.

"Not only can locals jump on a Jetstar flight direct to Hobart, we'll be welcoming Tasmanians to the Hunter too.

"The NSW Government's investment in Newcastle Airport will mean more people can experience everything Port Stephens and the Hunter has to offer, bringing a welcome boost to local businesses."

Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said:

"The direct flights between Newcastle and Hobart are a big win for both regions. This connection links the Hunter with Tasmania's capital, opening new opportunities for tourism, business and the wider economy, while giving our community easy access to Hobart's culture and wilderness.

"More choice for our passengers is at the heart of what we do and Hobart adds another exciting destination to our growing network. With our international terminal now complete, the benefits are clear. We've launched direct flights to Perth with one-stop connections to Europe, Bali services take off on 21 October and now Hobart joins the network. And behind the scenes, we're working hard to deliver even more exciting routes that matter to our region. It's proof we're delivering the airport this region deserves - one that makes travel easy and opens doors at home and abroad."

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said:

"Jetstar's new route will provide a major tourism boost across Hobart and the Hunter.

"The Qantas Group already carries more tourists into Hobart and Newcastle than any other airline - and arrivals are set to soar yet again.

"Starting in December, Jetstar's new direct seasonal service between these two cities will create another 22,000 low-cost seats a year, further strengthening inbound tourism.

"We want to thank the Tasmanian and New South Wales governments and Hobart and Newcastle airports for their strong support of the new route."

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