Gold Coast Airport expansion plan approved

Saturday, 15 Feb, 2016 0

The Australia Federal Government has approved a major expansion at Gold Coast Airport to meet passenger demand during the 2018 Commonwealth Games and keep pace with future air travel growth.

"Gold Coast Airport currently services around six million passengers per year, which is forecast to grow to 16.3 million passengers in 2031," said deputy prime minister Warren Truss.

"In the immediate future, more than 117,000 visitors, 5,000 athletes, 2,000 officials and 2,700 media representatives are expected to travel to the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with most arriving through the airport."

The airport upgrade will effectively double the size of the terminal, adding new wide-bodied aircraft stands and four new aerobridges.

First phase construction is due to start in the middle of this year and is expected to be completed by 2017.

Further construction phases are slated for 2018 and in late 2020.

Called Project LIFT (Let’s Invest for Tomorrow), the upgrade will generate up to A$62 million more a year in tourism revenue, Truss said.

Gold Coast Airport’s chief operating officer, Marion Charlton said the improvements are vital as the airport just recorded its largest ever monthly passenger count at 600,000.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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