Sunshine Coast Airport has marked 65 years since its official opening, with the milestone arriving as the Queensland gateway undertakes a $170 million terminal redevelopment and prepares for further passenger growth ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Officially opened as Maroochy Airport on 12 August 1961, the airport has grown from a grass airstrip on marshy coastal land to a domestic and international gateway handling 1.8 million passengers in the 2025–26 financial year.
Passenger growth drives Sunshine Coast Airport investment
Passenger numbers increased 9.7% in FY26 compared with the previous year and were 86% higher than a decade ago, highlighting the airport’s growing importance to the Sunshine Coast visitor economy and local aviation network.
The airport currently has direct links to domestic and international destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Auckland, Bali and Singapore, with services operated by Air New Zealand, Alliance, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said the anniversary provided an opportunity to recognise the airport’s role in supporting tourism, business and the wider community.
“For 65 years, this airport has been at the heart of our region’s growth connecting families, supporting local business and driving tourism,” Mills said.
$170 million terminal redevelopment progresses
The airport’s largest investment to date is now taking shape, with the $170 million domestic terminal redevelopment set to double the terminal footprint.
Plans include tripling the departure lounge from 1,250 square metres to 3,750 square metres, increasing airline capacity by 40% with two additional gates, and expanding food, beverage and retail offerings by 50%.
The first stage was completed in February 2026 with the opening of a new outbound baggage facility. Other stages are underway or nearing completion.
“While we’re proud of our history, we’re even more excited about the future,” Mills said. “With major infrastructure projects underway and new development opportunities emerging, Sunshine Coast Airport is well positioned to continue to support the growth and prosperity of the region for decades to come.”
Gateway Precinct opens further development opportunities
The anniversary also comes as Sunshine Coast Airport assesses proposals for hotel, retail, commercial and industrial development within its Gateway Precinct.
The airport was declared a Priority Development Area by the Queensland Government in 2023, while the Gateway Precinct Master Plan was approved in 2025. Permitted uses include a hotel, additional retail, childcare, medical and other services.
The airport expects passenger numbers to reach 2.4 million by 2030. By 2040, it estimates its operations will directly contribute $460 million to Australian GDP and support 2,400 jobs on airport.
The latest expansion builds on several major milestones, including commissioning a new 2,450-metre runway in 2020, which enabled larger aircraft and opened opportunities for additional domestic, Asian and Pacific services.
