The next phase of Gold Coast Airport’s new terminal expansion has officially opened, with international passengers welcomed today, 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,” Ms 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 Ms 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,” Minister 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, 30,000sq metre 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,” Ms 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,” she said.

“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.

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