Sunshine Coast Airport’s new arrivals precinct is nearing completion as part of the $170 million terminal redevelopment project.
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO, Chris Mills said it’s exciting to see the next phase of the terminal redevelopment beginning to take shape.
“We’ve successfully poured the slab and assembled the framing for both the baggage claim and the new landside café, Trader and Co, which will form part of the arrivals precinct.
“The project is being delivered in partnership with McNab and it’s exciting to see the scale and shape of the buildings come to life.
“The next stage of construction will be to clad the exterior of the buildings and to start fitting out the interior space for both areas.
“The arrivals precinct and baggage claim will be completed later this year, with construction commencing soon for the airport’s new boarding gates and the retail, food and beverage areas within the terminal.
“This is a defining moment in the airport’s history and will transform the terminal and enhance passenger experience, increase the space and capacity for travellers arriving and checking in and support the future growth of the airport,” Mr Mills said.
McNab CEO, Kunjan Ganatra said the construction to date of the arrivals precinct and baggage claim has run smoothly.
“Construction of the arrivals precinct and baggage claim began in December 2025 and has reached a pivotal stage. We can now see how the space will feel once complete which is on track for later this year.
“Both spaces have come to life through careful design, planning and close coordination with stakeholders including Sunshine Coast Airport, airline partners and Planned Performance.
“It’s through strong collaboration and the commitment of everyone involved that brings projects such as this one to life.”
The arrivals precinct and baggage claim builds on the extensive work already undertaken by the airport, including the completion of the outbound baggage facility earlier this year and the recently announced retail, commercial and industrial land parcels released to market as part of the Gateway Precinct.
More than 2,500 construction workers will directly contribute to the $170 million terminal redevelopment project.
AIRPORT FAST FACTS
• SCA is experiencing significant growth expecting to welcome more than 1.8M passengers in FY26 and 2.4M by 2030.
• SCA has more capacity in core markets of Sydney and Melbourne than any time in the airport’s history.
• Sydney and Melbourne markets account for 88% of all airline seats to/from Sunshine Coast Airport with around 240 flights a week during the holiday period for FY26.
• Terminal footprint will almost double, growing from 6,100m² to 11,750m².
• Domestic departure lounge will increase threefold, from 1,250m² to 3,750m².
• Departure gates will increase from 5 to 7 – a 40% boost in capacity.
• Check-in new technology: 18 self-service kiosks and 10 automatic bag drops.
• Sustainability features: mass timber, rainwater harvesting, expanded solar panels, energy-efficient Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), climate-sensitive design.
• Sunshine Coast Airport’s full terminal expansion is to be completed in 2027.
LINK TO RENDERS & FLYTHROUGH OF ARRIVALS PRECINCT
ENDS-
For more information contact:
Amira Vaatstra – Corporate Media and Communications Manager
M: 0438 132 939
amira.vaatstra@sunshinecoastairport.com.au
or
media@sunshinecoastairport.com.au
(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.
