Children help airport mark 90th anniversary

A transport hub is celebrating a major milestone with a community-led project.

Newcastle International Airport has marked its 90th anniversary by burying a time capsule filled with photos, mementos and letters that capture life in 2025. 

The capsule was buried beside the air traffic control tower with help from children from Ponteland Beavers, who also contributed their own predictions for the future of travel.

Items sealed inside include the Airport’s 2040 masterplan, a roadmap to reaching net-zero carbon by 2035, a copy of the airport’s Horizons magazine and memorabilia created for the anniversary. 

Beavers badges and certificates were also added to reflect the younger generation’s role in the event.

Alice Andreasen, chief corporate affairs officer at Newcastle Airport, said: “For 90 years, Newcastle Airport has been an integral part of the North East – connecting people to destinations across the world, welcoming visitors to the region, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing billions to the local economy. 

“This time capsule is a fantastic way to capture what life was like at the airport for our passengers, staff and local communities in 2025 as we celebrate our 90th birthday. 

"We were delighted the Ponteland Beavers could be part of this special moment, helping us preserve these stories and milestones for future generations to discover.” 

Beaver James Parkin, aged seven, added: “I loved coming to the airport and helping to bury the capsule. 

“It was really fun and I hope people in the future like what we put inside." 

The time capsule activity is part of a wider celebration, with a new exhibition now open in the airport’s terminal showcasing vintage photos, uniforms and artefacts from the past nine decades. 

Highlights include a commemorative plaque featuring Ant and Dec’s handprints, installed during the 2004 terminal expansion, as well as a collection of fascinating photos and artefacts, including vintage cabin crew uniforms and a piece of the runway.

The exhibition is also on display at the Discovery Museum, in Newcastle, and will later move to the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens and The Word, in South Shields. 

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →