Gold Coast Airport passengers will be spoilt for choice when looking for something to eat, drink and buy thanks to the transformation of the food, beverage and retail outlets in the expanded and existing terminal.

A signature café and bar is set to be unveiled for the terminal expansion area, and the menu will be curated by local executive chef Matt Jefferson. A total of 14 new outlets will be delivered in the existing and new terminal area as part of the project, which has just been announced.

The terminal refresh will include a bespoke bookshop and café bar in partnership with popular Burleigh business Golosi Food Emporium, a children’s store, a news, book, convenience and souvenir outlet, and a range of restaurants in the Mediterranean, fresh food, sushi and Asian themes. The first Schnitz outlet in an Australian airport will also open at GCA and Hungry Jacks will remain.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills said the exciting project was moving ahead after the successful conclusion of a tender process.

“We are set to welcome experienced operators WH Smith and HMSHost to Gold Coast Airport and to continue our partnership with Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE). This retail refresh is the missing piece for Gold Coast Airport and will further improve the experience for our passengers, as travel rebuilds and connections are re-established,” he said.

Work on the outlets located in the terminal expansion space will start soon and open later this year. Focus will soon turn to the food, beverage and retail outlets in the existing terminal space.

Mr Mills said part of the new food and beverage and retail offering would be located in the terminal expansion area – with two new food outlets and an expanded duty-free store.

The Wollumbin café and bar, delivered by ARE in partnership with Matt Jefferson, will be the centrepiece of the departure lounge area.

“Guests will be able to enjoy something delicious to eat and drink, while looking out at the spectacular Gold Coast and NSW hinterland, before they take off on their next journey,” Mr Mills said.

The announcement comes after audited numbers were released for last month, showing more than 555,000 people travelled through Gold Coast Airport in April – consistent with amount seen pre-COVID-19. Monday 18 April was the busiest April day on record at Gold Coast Airport – and second busiest in the airport’s history – with 25,166 passenger movements recorded.

Mr Mills said the long-awaited return to pre-COVID-19 passenger numbers was welcome news for the airport team and local tourism operators.

The terminal expansion, opening later this year, will be a fresh, modern facility and includes additional retail space, including a 1,342sq m duty-free store operated by Heinemann and featuring a range of international brands.

Background: Gold Coast Airport partners have been selected as part of the tender process and these agreements are now proceeding to the contract stage.