THE Newcastle 500 proved a boon for Newcastle Airport, according to figures released this week.
More than 5,200 passengers flew into the Port Stephens airport on Friday November 23, an 11 per cent increase on last year.
"It's been a massive year for growth in the Newcastle tourism industry," mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
"Following on the incredible success of our second Supercars race, the City this week announced a landmark deal bringing the first five-star hotel to Newcastle by 2020.
"Our city's revitalisation is tantalisingly close to completion.”
The new passenger record for the supercars event almost did not happen, with bushfires delaying many flights into the airport.
The airport figures come after it was announced more than two million people reportedly tuned in on television to watch the final supercars race in Newcastle.
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