Barry Matthews and wife Christine were among the first passengers to access the new Shellharbour Airport passenger terminal, and were impressed with their surroundings.
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"It's fantastic - it's not like a tin shed any more," Mr Matthews said.
The $7.9 million, 200-capacity terminal became operational on Thursday.
Milton residents the Matthews were flying to Melbourne for a week to visit family.
"This will be about our fourth trip from here... We much prefer coming here than Sydney or Canberra," Mr Matthews, 70, said.
"It's convenient. It's only an hour, hour-and-a-half from Milton.
"You can park easily, the check-in facilities are quick and easy.
"Even though the airfares are a bit more expensive, it's more convenient."
Mr Matthews said it was "in the back of your mind" that potential issues may arise from travelling interstate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We were worried when they brought the five-day lockdown in," he said.
"Luckily they lifted it, and hopefully it won't get any worse and won't trap us down there or anything like that.
"It's a little bit of a concern, but I wouldn't say it was a big concern."
Albion Park man Craig Scoble flew into Albion Park Rail on Thursday after a work-related trip to Brisbane.
"I think the new terminal will be fantastic," he said.
"It's something the Illawarra certainly needs and will bring tourism in."
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The new terminal and runways works are part of a $20 million airport business plan developed by Shellharbour City Council.
In 2019, council received $15.97 million in funding from the NSW Government's Growing Local Economies Fund, as part of the Regional Growth Fund, for additions and upgrades to the airport.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba was present to welcome passengers to the new terminal.
"It's got the capacity to hold 200 passengers, which means we've got the capacity to grow the flights if we can encourage other airlines to come and set their businesses up here, or for Link Airways to expand," she said.
The new terminal has provisions for retail and cafe space.
According to council, a tender process is currently under way to enlist a cafe operator for the new terminal.
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