Gold Coast Airport completes $260m terminal expansion
The next phase of Gold Coast Airport’s new terminal expansion has officially opened, with international passengers welcomed recently, completing the three-year project.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans said the opening to international services marks another important milestone in the recovery of Queensland Airports Limited, and the tourism
industry after two challenging years of COVID-19 impacts.
“This project will ensure Gold Coast Airport is positioned as the preferred domestic and international gateway to the spectacular destinations of the Gold Coast and northern NSW,” she said.
The first flight to land in the expanded terminal this morning delivered more than 320 passengers onboard Scoot’s service from Singapore. Throughout the day Gold Coast Airport’s international terminal will also welcome passengers from Japan and New Zealand.
“Passenger numbers at Gold Coast Airport continue to rebuild with strength, with more than half a million passengers moved through the terminal during the month of October, and aircraft in and out of the Gold Coast at 90 per cent passenger capacity,” Evans said.
“We will continue to focus on driving growth in passenger numbers, working closely with airline, government, and destination partners to secure extra capacity, new carriers and new international
flight and domestic connections.”
Senator for Queensland Murray Watt joined Evans to cut the ribbon declaring the new building officially open. The expanded terminal welcomed Scoot flight TR6 from Singapore landing at 7:05 this morning. Senator Watt recognised Gold Coast Airport’s national significance as the sixth largest in Australia, in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
“The Gold Coast is world-renowned as a tourism destination, and I’m very pleased that this new terminal will welcome even more visitors from all over the globe to enjoy everything the Coast has to offer,” Watt said.
“This development will be great for locals and tourists alike, and it will also be particularly important to support this growing region in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The modern three-level, 30,000sqm expansion, which connects seamlessly with the existing terminal, took three years to build and created over 2,000 local jobs.
It includes new shops, cafes, and six new gates allowing for a total of 19 aircraft to now be accommodated on the tarmac. There are new border control facilities, four glass aerobridges, seven
escalators and nine lifts, a departure lounge, and a new baggage handling area.
An expanded duty-free store operated by Heinemann, featuring almost 40 new brands, is also now open. Through 2023 there will be a further 18 new food and beverage and retail outlets trading at Gold Coast Airport, enabled by the shift of international services into the new terminal expansion.
“Gold Coast Airport sits directly on the Queensland and NSW border and is the second biggest airport in both states. This new space doubles our terminal footprint allowing us to accommodate current and future passenger capacity,” Evans said.
“We are ready to welcome the world. Our international and domestic passengers, whether they use the existing or the newly expanded terminal, will continue to enjoy quick and easy access through our airport and a warm welcome from our dedicated team.
“The year ahead will be an exciting one for our industry, with confidence well and truly back and people eager to travel and experience domestic and international destinations. Passenger numbers continue to rebuild month on month for all our Queensland airports, we expect to see that reflected in the recovering international market.
“It also means we will be ready for the anticipated growth in services in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics.”
This project is central to the ongoing transformation of the Gold Coast Airport precinct, with about $500 million worth of works delivered, underway or in the pipeline.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Amelia Evans gold coast Gold Coast Airport heinemann Murray Watt Queensland Airports LimitedLatest News
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]