End of a decade

Not only are we wrapping up and incredible year here at Sunshine Coast Airport, we’re also looking back on an amazing decade full of growth and achievements.

Here’s out top 10 to round out of the #endofadecade (in no particular order):

1.      One of our proudest achievements, Sunshine Coast Airport was the first Australia airport to achieve carbon neutral accreditation in 2017 under ACI’s carbon accreditation scheme. It’s an accreditation we still hold to this day.

2.      On August 12, 2011 we celebrated our 50-year anniversary as an airport. We’re indebted to the people who have contributed to the airport’s history over those five decades and look forward to celebrating our 60th anniversary in 2021.

3.      In August this year we celebrated 60 years since pilots Roy Kassulke and Bill Edgar flew up to the Maroochy Aerodrome in an HT-2 Hindustani Trainer aircraft to be the first aircraft to land on the new aerodrome… at that time a modest grass strip.

4.      In 2012, Air New Zealand announced a seasonal service between Sunshine Coast and Auckland, our first international service.

5.      In September this year we were announced as Australia’s fasted growing airport for FY 18/19.

6.      In October this year we set a record for passengers though our airport, at around 125,000 people.

7.      In 2010 a terminal refurbishment was officially opened, and our name changed from Maroochydore-Sunshine Coast to Sunshine Coast Airport. The next decade will see us expand the terminal again and will provide us with the opportunity to reflect the look and feel of the Sunshine Coast, showcasing the best of what the region has to offer.

8.      In 2017 we transitioned Sunshine Coast Airport to private ownership under a 99-year lease agreement with Sunshine Coast Council.

9.      Preliminary work commenced on the new runway in 2017, which is now set to take its first flights from 21 May, 2020. The new, safer runway will enable us to bring more destinations to the Sunshine Coast community, and greater freight capacity for local businesses.

10.  This year saw the completion of our Master Plan 2040 – a vision for the airport’s future which provided a blueprint for development including five new precincts including general aviation, freight and logistics, new terminal, leisure and retail spaces.

We look forward to reaching new heights in the next decade, and supporting the Sunshine Coast region to grow and prosper.