Sunshine Coast Airport Reaches New Heights with 5.7% Passenger Growth

Sunshine Coast Airport’s status as Australia’s fastest growing airport has been reflected in its annual results with 5.7% passenger growth to a record 1,263,731 passengers for the 2018/19 financial year (see Figure 1).

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics once again confirmed Sunshine Coast Airport as Australia’s fastest growing airport (BITRE, May 2019).

Increased passenger numbers were recorded across all domestic sectors, as well as the seasonal international Air New Zealand service between Auckland and the Sunshine Coast, which resumed flights for the 2019 season last month.

The sharp rise in passenger movements has played a key role in driving the Sunshine Coast’s record visitor numbers and expenditure figures announced recently in the National and International Visitor Surveys. Growth in tourism has delivered expenditure increases of over 20% for the region in the year to March 2019.

Announcing the results for the 2018/19 financial year, Sunshine Coast Airport Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Brodie, said the introduction of additional services had both increased the size and diversity of the market over the past year.

“One of the most significant wins in the last 12 months has been the additional daily Qantas service from Sydney, which is ideally timed to attract international visitors seamlessly to the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Brodie said.

“These services also provide the opportunity for local residents to fly out of their local airport and conveniently connect to outgoing international services, as well as benefiting businesses needing to attract or connect with clients across Australia and overseas,” said Mr Brodie.

“This enhanced connectivity has been made even more critical, given the ongoing Bruce Highway works.”

Mr Brodie said the current and future potential connectivity was attracting investors to the region.

“We’re working hard to accelerate the region’s economic development to create additional jobs and opportunities in the years ahead,” Mr Brodie said.

“We’re seeing the infrastructure, property, tourism and services sectors choosing the Sunshine Coast for major investments, with the recent opening of the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre and the announcement of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel project in the new Maroochydore CBD. 

“We thank the community for its ongoing support over the past year.”