
Newcastle Airport has officially opened a new, free waiting zone at Callerton Parkway as it prepares for a landmark year, projecting a record six million passengers in 2026.
The facility, located next to the Callerton Parkway Metro station, offers taxis, minibuses, and the general public up to 90 minutes of free parking. This initiative is designed to provide a safe staging area for drivers before they head to the terminal for passenger pickups.
The zone is part of a broader £60 million investment strategy for 2025 and 2026. Notable features of the new site include:
Complimentary Shuttle: Starting January 6, an electric shuttle bus will run every 30 minutes, providing door-to-door service to the terminal.
EV Charging: A new 12-bay ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging station—one of the North East's largest—is now operational.
Future Amenities: Planning permission has been granted for a drive-thru coffee facility, with construction slated for next year.
The new 90-minute zone will replace the existing 15-minute free drop-off period previously offered in the Short Stay 2 car park.
The expansion comes as the airport gears up for increased traffic following the launch of easyJet’s new base in March. "2026 is set to be the busiest year in Newcastle Airport’s history," said Dean Ward, Director of Commercial at Newcastle Airport. "To support this significant growth, we are delighted to... open our new waiting zone, which provides the public and taxi drivers with a free, safe area to wait before picking up passengers."
Local leaders have praised the move as a solution to congestion in nearby neighborhoods. John Littleton of Woolsington Parish Council noted that the designated area will "help reduce the number of vehicles parking on residential streets and keep our community safe."
Alan Hall, Mayor of Ponteland, added that the facility is "great news for the community," noting that the 90-minute window will "help improve traffic flow and keep the surrounding areas safe and accessible for everyone."
The airport remains committed to its environmental goals, with the new electric infrastructure supporting its target of achieving Net Zero Carbon status by 2035.

The initiative, launched by the Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership, is funded by Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams.

The controversy follows data from Bassetlaw DC, showing that over the past decade, 12 PH licences were granted to individuals with convictions for violent offences, and one for a sexual offence.

The marshals, which started last Friday (December 12) are responsible for managing the main taxi areas in the city centre, controlling queues and helping vulnerable people find licensed transport home. 

Jordan Williams, 35, and Donna Midgeley, 32, were sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 16 December, following a Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) investigation.

The partnership brings together Take Me’s extensive regional operating footprint and local expertise with Gett’s market-leading corporate travel technology.

National Highways said it had found 2,650 wrongful speed camera activations since 2021 due to a delay between cameras and variable speed signs. 

Tesla has reported its eighth crash involving its Robotaxi fleet in Austin, Texas, according to a new filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Mahmoud Kalawizada, a 32-year-old Syrian national, was convicted after a jury found him guilty of sexual assault and abduction, having offered "taxi services when not licensed as a taxi driver."

Adel Amrouche appeared before a City of Edinburgh Council licensing meeting on Monday, December 15, after Police Scotland flagged the collision as part of his licence renewal application.

Licensing chiefs have put forward several proposals aimed at addressing driver shortages and modernising the service.

This means Uber is now able to operate in the city. The licence will be granted for a period of five years, after which Uber will need to reapply.

The incident occurred at approximately 10.18pm on Thursday, December 11, 2025, on Somerford Road.

A former PH driver in Buckinghamshire, identified as Mr. Nawaz, has lost his appeal at a Crown Court hearing to regain his licence, which had been revoked due to "unsatisfactory driving standards."

There will be two night marshals in each town who will monitor and manage behaviour and incidents at taxi ranks and the main areas of nightlife.

Fairas Musthafa was prosecuted after an incident in Shenley Church End, where Milton Keynes council found he had "driven past the passenger and made no attempt to pick her up."

The company, which operates across Teesside, Durham, and Newcastle, was founded by Babar Malik, who is reviving a brand previously associated with his father's taxi business.

Council and rail officials celebrated the opening of the £4 million gateway, located opposite the Centre For Life, on Wednesday morning, 10 December.

As part of a proactive operation, Greater Manchester Police officers checked over 174 taxis and PHVs in Manchester City Centre.

On Friday and Saturday evening I was working with Bristol Council Parking Officers dealing with taxi rank offences. 

The West Sussex airport has defended the decision, citing a significant rise in its operating costs, specifically pointing to an increase in business rates levied by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
