UP AND AWAY
$200m airport revamp begins next year
GOLD Coast Airport will gain aerobridges in a $200 million makeover beginning next year. About 230 full-time jobs will be created in the first stage of the redevelopment, ensuring the airport keeps pace with rising demand from domestic and international carriers.
THE Gold Coast Airport is moving ahead with a redevelopment worth more than $200 million, which will make room for aerobridges and more big aircraft in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Details of the massive overhaul will be revealed in the Gold Coast Airport Major Development Plan, which will be released for public comment today.
Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer David Collins said the facility at Coolangatta would soon reach capacity and action needed to be taken soon, or the city’s tourism industry would suffer.
“Recent investigations have found the capacity of aircraft parking stands is currently exceeded at peak times, and if no action is taken to provide additional aircraft parking by 2018, access to the airport would need to be restricted,” he said. “This could significantly impact the airport’s ability to service future domestic and international passenger demand.”
About 230 full-time jobs are expected to be created during the first stage of the work.
Mr Collins said the redevelopment was also a bonus for travellers because it would deliver faster and more efficient service.
“This redevelopment will ensure more efficient use of terminal space and offer increased capacity,” he said.
More retail shops and cafes are also part of the plan.
Stage one is due to kick off in early 2016 and includes room for three new widebodied aircraft and a new three-level terminal building at the airport’s southern end which would accommodate two aerobridges.
Subsequent stages of the project will start in late 2018 and 2020, and include the revamp of the existing terminal, places for two more wide-bodied aircraft and extra aerobridges if needed.
The airport is also consulting with the public about the Instrument Landing System it wants to install at Coolangatta so that planes can take off and land in bad weather.
The Gold Coast Airport is the sixth largest in the country, with more than 5.8 million passengers going through the doors each year.
An estimated 75 per cent of those are holiday-makers heading to the Gold Coast and northern NSW.
After the 60-day consultation period closes, Gold Coast Airport will send a revised draft of the redevelopment plan to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development for approval.
The Government then has 60 days to respond.