Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) and Cérge are taking their collaboration to new heights following the commencement of their groundbreaking partnership in May 2024. The industry first partnership has already helped foster a more inclusive travel experience for people with disability, and enhancements to the companion technologies will see the expansion of the program at the airport.
SCA continues to invest in the companion technologies to the airport environment, including new Bluetooth tracking and a wheelchair database. These enhancements will empower staff with information to tailor their support and expand the existing Cérge integration to include multiple SCA staff and security officers at key locations in the customer journey, including on arrival and at security screening.
SCA General Manager Operation Kate McCreery-Carr said the airport was embracing technology to create a more accessible and inclusive airport.
“Our partnership with Cérge is something we are extremely proud of and through our investment we now have a product that is tailored to the airport journey,’ Ms McCreery-Carr said.
“Users are now able to provide detailed information about their disability via Cérge that notifies airport staff and security of their arrival and how our team can support them.
“Through Cérge and other accessibility initiatives we are creating new ways for people with disability to connect.
“Travelling through an airport can be stressful, and through the use of Cérge, we are helping to remove some of those barriers.”
Known as a ‘digital concierge’, Cérge provides venues with plug-and-play companion technologies designed to offer accessible and sensory experiences, imagery, and descriptions. Cérge Founder Chris Kerrisk said the technology empowers individuals with disability, along with their parents, carers, and support workers.
“Airports are among the most complex, high-sensory environments people can navigate—and for travellers with disability, small gaps in service can create huge barriers. Sunshine Coast Airport hasn’t just acknowledged that reality—they’ve invested to solve it,” Mr Kerrisk said.
“By expanding Cérge’s capabilities with Bluetooth location awareness and our wheelchair database, they’re enabling staff across the entire airport—from bag drop to security screening—to know exactly who needs support, where they are, and how to provide it safely and respectfully.
“Whether it’s understanding the difference between a manual chair and one with lithium-ion batteries, or coordinating a warm handover at security, this partnership is a game changer.
“These enhancements mark a significant tech uplift—allowing Cérge to scale personalised service across complex, multi-zone environments without increasing staffing levels. It means frontline teams can deliver higher quality support, with less friction and greater precision.
“Sunshine Coast Airport is walking the talk. This isn’t about strategy on paper—it’s about real inclusion, in motion.”
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About Sunshine Coast Airport
Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and one of Australia’s fastest growing airports. SCA directly connects the Sunshine Coast community to five domestic and international destinations (Adelaide, Auckland, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney) and is supported by five airlines (Air New Zealand, Alliance, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia). With more than 80 flights per week to Sydney and Melbourne, and convenient connections to Adelaide, Auckland and Cairns, SCA is the natural choice.
In July 2023, Sunshine Coast Airport was declared a Priority Development Area (PDA), with a new Development Scheme taking effect on Friday 27 September 2024. The Development Scheme will unlock opportunities that attract investment, drive economic growth and create jobs on and off airport. By 2040, it is estimated the airport will directly contribute $460m in total to Australia’s GDP. Jobs on airport are forecast to grow to 2,400 by 2040 and support a total of 3438 jobs (direct and indirect).
Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd operates and manages Sunshine Coast Airport, the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, under a 99-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council which commenced in December 2017.
