Image courtesy NIAL / AIB

The package includes a £20 million Green Loan dedicated to projects aimed at achieving Net Zero Carbon status by 2035. This funding will support future growth initiatives for the airport and marks a new partnership for AIB.
 
NIAL is the largest airport in the Northeast of England, serving as the region's global gateway with a unique, largely uncontested catchment area. In 2025, the airport served 5.55 million passengers travelling directly to over 80 destinations, and connecting onwards to many more, supported by a diverse network of 15 airline partners. The airport's extensive route network is complemented by award-winning facilities, with significant capacity to accommodate future passenger growth.

 
As a new lending opportunity for AIB, the NIAL deal demonstrates the strength of AIB’s appetite for the airport sector as a central pillar of the bank’s UK Infrastructure strategy.  The deal enhances AIB's infrastructure portfolio and demonstrates the bank's ability to originate and execute complex financings in a competitive market. The partnership with NIAL highlights AIB’s support for the airport’s ambition to achieve Net Zero Carbon status by 2035, backing investments that will reduce emissions and strengthen long term environmental performance. It also reflects AIB’s wider commitment to sustainable infrastructure and our strategy to finance climate positive developments across the UK.
 
Andrew Woodruff, Relationship Director in AIB’s UK Infra team said: 
“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. 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.”
 
Mark Hunt, CFO at Newcastle International Airport added: “AIB has demonstrated 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.”
 
AIB is part of a seven-bank syndicate for this deal, working alongside other prominent UK infrastructure lenders. Alongside the term loan and capital expenditure facilities, AIB is also participating in NIAL’s new interest rate hedging arrangements with other syndicate banks.