Photo: Newcastle International Airport
As a gateway to the North East of England, Newcastle International Airport (NIAL) has secured a multi-million-pound refinancing package to support its long-term sustainable growth.
The funding marks a new collaboration with AIB, which has joined the lender group as one of seven banks providing financial support for the airport’s growth and decarbonisation goals. The package includes a GBP 20 million Green Loan dedicated to achieving the airport’s bold plans for net zero carbon status by 2035.
Commenting on the refinancing deal, Mark Hunt, CFO at Newcastle International Airport, said: “AIB has demonstrated a strong appetite for the sector and belief in our business, and we are delighted they have joined the syndicate and taken a material position in our banking group.”
As the largest airport in the region, NIAL has a largely uncontested catchment area and in 2025 served 5.55 million passengers travelling directly to more than 80 destinations. The airport has significant capacity to accommodate future passenger growth.
For AIB as a new lending partner, the airport’s ambition for net zero status by 2035 is key, as it reflects the bank’s wider commitment to sustainable infrastructure and its strategy to finance climate-positive developments across the UK.
“Newcastle International holds a unique market position as the principal aviation gateway to the northeast of England, with sector-leading sustainability credentials and operational standards,” said Andrew Woodruff, Relationship Director in AIB’s UK Infra team.
He added that AIB is delighted to have joined the lending group “to support the business and its management team through the airport’s next phase of investment and growth”.
