REMEMBER WHEN

IT was up and away for the Gold Coast Airport’s long-awaited $100 million facelift.

The new-look airport was to be almost double in size, feature 36 check-in terminals, a huge shopping and entertainment precinct and be able to handle twice as many passengers.

But, with passenger numbers growing at 8 per cent a year, it was expected to be back to the drawing board in just a few short years as the airport’s owner mapped out the next phase for the facility which was hoped to include airbridges.

Gold Coast Airport boss Paul Donovan lifted the lid on the plans for the airport upgrade with preliminary work set to begin in March 2008.

He also said the new airport, which received Federal Government funding in 2007, would serve the Gold Coast for the next 10 years.

“We certainly believe we have the right model for the Gold Coast,’’ he said.

“It is going to be one of a kind. What we want to do is bring the Gold Coast inside the airport so the holiday experience starts as soon as you get off the plane.

“It is very, very exciting. Early works will begin right away and then in June, the construction will start.”

The Gold Coast Tourism chairman said the terminal would be expanded from 14,000 sqm to 26,000 sqm, with the project due for completion by September 2009.

”We are extending the building on to the tarmac which means people will walk 30 metres less to get from the plane to the terminal,’’ he said.