Passenger Flights At Lake Macquarie Airport?

Lake Macquarie Airport remains optimistic passenger flights to Sydney could make a return one day, as it prepares to undergo a major upgrade.

Work is expected to begin later this year on five new hangars, an extended taxiway, a restaurant and carpark at the Marks Point airfield.

Lake Macquarie City Council approved plans earlier this week for the final two hangars as part of the $2.8 million project.

The airport's redevelopment has renewed hopes of a commuter plane service making a comeback, after the final Aeropelican flight left the airfield in 2005.

"It's just a matter of getting these buildings built and the airport looking better, and we hope somebody will come along and operate out of there," Airport chairman Rob Hibbert said.

However Mr Hibbert said for that to happen, there would need to be a major security overhaul at the airport.

"There are some hurdles to get over with security. You look at what they've done at Newcastle Airport, it's pretty amazing but costs a lot of money. It's not an easy thing to bring in here," he said.

The airport is currently home to skydiving, charter flights and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.