This afternoon's news stated that they were closing down operations at Aeropelican itself in 6 weeks in the hope that the land will be rezoned for residential purposes.
As to getting 3 metro's, how long do you think they will compete with the Q-Link, Jetstar and Virgin a/c out of Willy? Don't Eastern still run the Dash 8 in there? The Sydney - Newcastle market has always been the bread and butter for Aeropelican, and time and time again it has been proven the Maitland, Cessnock etc. markets are much more difficult to make a profit on.
As to how many people from down the Belmont end of Newcastle would drive to Willy anyhow when it is an hour from Belmont, and not much more to drive down the freeway to Sydney.
Me suspects there is only one motive in closing Belmont airport.