Newcastle Airport chair Jude Munro AO is retiring after steering the airport through a landmark period of growth, investment and record passenger numbers.
Deputy chair Samantha Martin-Williams, a director since October 2019, will succeed Munro as chair from March, ensuring strong leadership continuity as the airport enters its next era.
In recognition of Munro’s outstanding contribution to the region, she received a Key to the City of Newcastle last night reflecting the lasting legacy she leaves for the Hunter.
Munro departs on a high, with the final quarter of 2025 delivering the airport’s highest ever passenger results. A total of 340,778 passengers travelled through the terminal in October, November and December, ending a successful year for the airport which included the completion of the expanded terminal and new direct flights to Bali, Singapore via Bali, Perth and Hobart.
Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said Munro’s leadership has left a lasting legacy for the region and he was proud to see that legacy recognised by the community and the City of Newcastle with a Key to the City being presented during a touching tribute at City Hall.
“Jude has always kept her focus on what matters for the Hunter, building an airport and precinct that supports jobs, connectivity and long-term economic strength and we are incredibly grateful for her contribution,” Horton said.
“Jude’s leadership has laid a strong foundation for the future,” Martin-Williams said. “As Chair, my focus will be on sustaining that momentum and ensuring Newcastle Airport continues to drive connectivity, investment and long-term economic strength for the Hunter and the nation.”
Munro has served on more than 20 boards during her career, including as Chair of Queensland Urban Utilities, Chair of the Victorian Planning Authority and Chair of the Victorian Pride Centre. She is currently Chair of Uniting Vic Tas and a Director of Create Advisory. Her contributions to public administration and planning have been widely recognised, including being awarded the keys to the City of Brisbane in 2010, appointment as a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration and a Life Fellowship of the Planning Institute of Australia.
As a long serving director and chair, Munro oversaw the airport’s broader $250 million dollar precinct wide expansion program, helping future proof Newcastle Airport through diversified growth, stronger resilience and long-term value for the region. The completed terminal alone is expected to deliver $12.7 billion dollars in economic benefit over the next 20 years, including $6.2 billion dollars into the visitor economy, $6.5 billion dollars in freight activity and more than 4,000 jobs.
During her time on the Board and as Chair from June 2023, Newcastle Airport delivered major infrastructure and laid strong foundations for its next era of growth. This included the final delivery of the expanded terminal and aerobridge, significant progress on the Astra Aerolab property and defence precinct and continued improvement in sustainability performance.
Under Munro’s leadership, Newcastle Airport became the first airport in Australia to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 Plus Transition, placing it in the top 12 per cent of airports globally. The airport also achieved key net zero milestones across Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
Munro said she steps down from her role as Chair at Newcastle Airport with immense pride in the current Board and Leadership team whose core focus is first and foremost to be the airport the region deserves.
“We have positioned Newcastle Airport for long-term success and I step down with a sense of a job well done and knowing I leave the airport in good hands,” Munro said.
Newcastle Councillor Callum Pull, jointly nominated Munro for this civic honour alongside Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson. Munro joins a select group of recipients recognised for their enduring impact on the city and its community.
“Newcastle Airport is a shared regional asset, and Jude’s leadership has ensured it delivers benefits across Newcastle, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter,” Leah Anderson said.
