Newcastle Airport has faced many challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, not least of which was a 99% reduction in passengers at the height of the pandemic. In positive news, the Federal Government announced $66 million in funding to upgrade the airport runway to ‘Code E’ status to withstand international aircraft, opening up potential new destinations to Newcastle and the Hunter including New Zealand, the USA and Europe. City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath joins Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes as co-host to explore what this means for the region, and the collaborative advocacy that got the project over the line, with Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock.