Gold Coast Airport is ready to welcome the rest of Australia and the world when its $260 million terminal expansion opens to travellers from the first week of September, revealing an unrivalled space that reflects the famous region’s unique culture and landscape.

The modern, 30,000sq m domestic and international terminal doubles the airport’s footprint and supports current and future growth for the popular holiday and business destinations of the Gold Coast and northern NSW.

The three-level, beautifully designed terminal took three years to build and created 2,000 local jobs. It includes new shops and cafes, six new gates and room for up to 19 large aircraft.

It has four glass aerobridges, seven escalators and nine lifts, new boarding facilities, a departure lounge, baggage handling and border control facilities as well as a parents room, multi-faith room and a VIP room.

People waiting in the international departure lounge will enjoy spectacular views across the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales hinterland.

From October 2022, those flying direct to the Gold Coast from New Zealand, Singapore and Japan will arrive via the terminal expansion and in March 2023, it will welcome passengers from Bali.

The new terminal seamlessly connects with the existing terminal and is central to the ongoing development of the Gold Coast Airport precinct, with about $500 million worth of works delivered, underway or in the pipeline.

Gold Coast Airport CEO Amelia Evans said the airport expansion would meet the significant anticipated growth in services in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics and improve the experience for travellers.

“The new terminal provides an opportunity for us to continue our growth because it gives us the space that we need to better connect our region to the world,” she said.

“This is a game-changer for the Gold Coast Airport and gives us a strong foundation for the future.

“We have welcomed several million tourists to our shores over the past decade. In that time, the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales regions have enjoyed massive growth, developed thriving dining scenes and become impressive hubs for both arts and culture. It has become increasingly important that the Gold Coast Airport grows alongside it.

“We needed to transform and align to the destinations we support.

“We are extremely confident in the strength of the Gold Coast and the northern New South Wales tourism destinations.”

The new terminal design reflects the nearby natural environment on both sides of the Queensland and New South Wales border with hinterland greens and bronze to the building’s west and bright coastal blues and mint greens to the east.

Other new features include timber decking and open-glazed facades in the forecourt and plaza area to help create a relaxed Gold Coast vibe as well as a spotted gum-style feature wall mirroring the nearby hinterland mountain range.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jai Johnstone | Aruga

jai@aruga.com.au

0404 188 615

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KEY DATES

30 August – Mass Trial

More than 400 volunteers will put the terminal through its paces ahead of opening. They will act as passengers, testing and trialling all aspects of the terminal from checking in to boarding – using the airport’s new aerobridges – and then providing feedback.

8-11 September – Terminal expansion opens for domestic operations.

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Gold Coast Airport will welcome the first domestic flights and passengers to arrive via the new terminal.

13-18 October – Terminal expansion opens for international operations

Gold Coast Airport will welcome the first international flights and passengers to arrive at the new terminal. Arrivals will include services flying direct to the Gold Coast from New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.

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FAST FACTS

CONSTRUCTION

• The project includes 1500 tonnes of structural steel, 1200 tonnes of reinforcement steel, and 15,000 cubic metres of concrete.
• The most complex operational challenge was to ensure luggage tugs were able to access the existing baggage handling room inside the terminal without interruption. A 100-metre tunnelled pathway for the tugs was created, incorporating a swing-gate system.

EMPLOYMENT

• The 2,000 jobs created as part of this build made it one of the biggest Gold Coast job generators over the past three years.
• About $50 million in contracts were issued to 11 local businesses as part of the project.

TOURISM

• The Gold Coast and northern NSW region is regularly ranked as one of Australia’s leading holiday destinations for overseas tourists and the number one holiday destination for domestic travellers.
• Gold Coast – Sydney and Gold Coast – Melbourne are among the busiest routes in Australia since 2005.
• More than 6.5 million people fly in and out of the Gold Coast terminal each year and it is anticipated that number will significantly increase.
• More than 500,000 people travelled through the Gold Coast Airport in April 2022 and484,000 in June 2022.

ABOUT THE GOLD COAST

• 645,000 people call the Gold Coast home but that’s expected to jump to 1.2 million by 2050.
• The Gold Coast and northern NSW region has some of the world’s best beaches and thousands of hectares of Heritage-listed rainforest.
• The city has become even more popular with tourists from Sydney and Melbourne following the impacts of COVID.

NEW RETAIL

• Gold Coast Airport will offer 18 new food and beverage and retail outlets by mid-2023, between the new and existing terminal.
• Popular, local executive chef Matt Jefferson will helm Woolumbin café and bar with spectacular views out to the Gold Coast and NSW hinterland and a menu that reflects theregion’s vibrant food and cultural scene.
• A newsagent, bookshop, convenience and souvenir store with locally produced, premium items.
• A children’s store.
• A bespoke bookshop and café bar in partnership with Burleigh business Golosi Food Emporium.
• Five new food and beverage outlets, including Mediterranean, fresh food, Sushi and Asian cuisine, along with the first Schnitz outlet in an Australian airport.

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