Construction of the extension of the Metro from Bank Foot to Newcastle Airport began in 1990, after funding had been secured from the European Economic Community (now the European Union). The majority of the route of the extension uses the alignment of the Ponteland Railway, with a short (around 0.2 miles or 0.32 kilometres) section of new right-of-way at the airport end. The Ponteland Railway opened in June 1905, closing to passenger services in June 1929, with goods services operating into the late 1960s.[2][3]
The extension and station opened on 17 November 1991, at a cost of £12 million. The new station at the airport had a pyramid design, and was linked to both platforms and the main airport terminal by covered walkways. As well as the airport station, a new intermediate station was built at Callerton Parkway, and a second platform was added to Bank Foot station.[2][5]
The only access to the station is through the main terminal building of the airport. Step-free covered walkways link the terminal building to the ticket hall, and the ticket hall to the station's island platform. There is no dedicated car or bicycle parking available at the station, with car parking controlled and operated by the airport. A taxi rank is located at the front of the terminal building.[7]
The station is equipped with ticket machines, waiting shelter, seating, next train information displays, timetable posters, and an emergency help point. Ticket machines accept payment with credit and debit cards (including contactless payment), notes and coins.[8][9] The station is fitted with automatic ticket barriers, which were installed at 13 stations across the network during the early 2010s, as well as smartcard validators, which feature at all stations.[10][11]
Services
As of October 2024[update], the station is served by up to five trains per hour on weekdays and Saturday, and up to four trains per hour during the evening and on Sunday. Trains run to South Hylton via Newcastle and Sunderland.[7]
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