Newcastle International Airport has signed a five-year facility amounting to £364 million ( US$490.5 million ) to refinance its bank debt and support long-term growth plans.

Barclays, Lloyds, Santander, and Allied Irish Banks joined the airport’s banking group, alongside existing lenders NatWest, HSBC, and the Development Bank of Japan ( DBJ ). NatWest acted as financial adviser, with A&O Shearman as legal adviser. HSBC arranged the hedging, while Barclays was the sustainability adviser. Clifford Chance advised the lenders.

The package also includes a £20 million green loan aimed at helping the business achieve net-zero carbon status by 2035. 

The debt financing will enable capital investment in customer facilities and infrastructure, and meet growing demand. The airport is targeting a record six million passengers in 2026. Growth in passenger numbers is being driven by further investment from airlines, including easyJet opening a new three-aircraft base at the airport in March. 

“The new financing package gives the airport the flexibility to advance its growth strategy and invest in critical infrastructure,“ says InfraBridge managing director Justin Symonds. “We look forward to continuing our partnership as the airport enters its next phase.”

Infrabridge, a London-based investment firm focused on mid-market assets, is a significant minority shareholder in Newcastle Airport. It currently has US$8.6 billion in assets under management and a portfolio of 14 companies.