Sunshine Coast Airport will see the busiest ever Easter weekend period with more than 24,000 passengers expected to flow through the airport over this weekend.
Monday 6 April will be the busiest day with the airport welcoming more than 6,300 passengers.
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO, Chris Mills said the increase reflects strong passenger appetite for travel during the holiday period.
“We know that Easter is a busy travelling period for families and we’re pleased to offer more seats and more choice to travellers than ever before.
“This weekend our airline partners have responded to demand with a 26 percent increase on capacity compared to the same time last year.”
During the entire Easter school holiday period, there will be an increase of 20 percent in the number of seats over last year.
“The commencement of our new flights to Singapore via Bali is also driving significant growth – contributing an extra 1,400 seats per week.
“And we’re seeing a positive response so far on that route with the departing flights close to 100% full.
“These numbers are a clear sign that the Sunshine Coast is the natural choice for travel.”
Passengers are encouraged to arrive early, check in online and stay up to date on travel requirements. Terminal expansion works are underway but are not expected to affect travel over the easter period
ENDS-
For more information contact:
Amira Vaatstra – Corporate Media and Communications Manager
0438 132 939
or
(07) 5373 1901
About Sunshine Coast Airport
Sunshine Coast Airport (the Airport) is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and one of Australia’s fastest growing airports. The Airport directly connects the Sunshine Coast community to domestic and international destinations; Adelaide, Auckland, Singapore via Bali, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney and is supported by five airlines; Air New Zealand, Alliance, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia.
Our core markets of Sydney and Melbourne continue to be our most popular route with more than 80 flights per week. Passenger numbers have steadily increased by 10 percent year on year with 1.8 million passengers overall projected in 2026. By 2030, the number of passengers is projected to grow to 2.4 million.
In July 2023, the Airport was declared a Priority Development Area, with a new Development Scheme taking effect in September 2024. As part of the new development scheme, the first development area – the Gateway Precinct – was approved in November 2025. Permitted development includes a hotel, retail expansion, childcare, medical, shopping and other services. The Gateway Precinct is a core part of our strategy to deliver a modern world-class airport that will unlock significant benefits for the region and open-up commercial opportunities for the airport as it grows.
In October 2025, the Airport began its $170 million terminal redevelopment which is set to create a larger terminal with double the footprint to support the future of our airport and the region. The terminal upgrades will include 50 percent more retail food and beverage offerings, departure lounge expanding by three times in size (from 1250sqm to 3750sqm) and a 40 percent increase in airline capacity with two new gates. The first stage of the terminal redevelopment was completed in February 2026, with the opening of the new state-of-the-art outbound baggage facility. The new facility includes major infrastructure upgrades to streamline baggage handling processes from check-in to aircraft.
By 2040, it is estimated the airport will directly contribute $460 million to Australia’s GDP. Jobs created on airport are forecast to grow to 2,400 by 2040 and support a total of 3,438 direct and indirect jobs.
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.
