Sunshine Coast Airport Explained

Sunshine Coast Airport
Nativename:Sunshine Coast–Maroochydore
Iata:MCY
Icao:YBSU
Type:Public
Owner:Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Operator:Palisade Investment Partners
City-Served:Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Location:Marcoola, Queensland
Elevation-F:15
Coordinates:-26.6033°N 153.0917°W
Pushpin Map:Australia Queensland SEQ#Queensland#Australia#Oceania
Pushpin Label:YBSU
Mapframe:yes
Website:sunshinecoastairport.com.au
Metric-Rwy:Y
R1-Number:13/31
R1-Length-M:2,450
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2021-22
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:816,873
Stat2-Header:Aircraft movements
Stat2-Data:51,204
Footnotes:Source: AIP
Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics[1]
Airservices Australia[2]

Sunshine Coast Airport (formerly Maroochydore Airport) is an Australian international airport located in Marcoola, 10km (10miles) north of Maroochydore, at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast. It is approximately 90km (60miles) north of centre of Brisbane, within the South East Queensland agglomeration. The airport is owned by Sunshine Coast Regional Council and is the principal and only jet-capable airport serving an urban area of nearly 400,000 residents.

The airport serves as a gateway to holiday destinations such as Noosa Heads, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra. There are direct flights to Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and regional destinations throughout Queensland. In addition, Air New Zealand provide international service, with three weekly return flights to Auckland. The airport also supports a variety of tourism, flight training and general aviation activities.

Sunshine Coast Airport was the 12th busiest airport in Australia and fifth busiest in Queensland during the 2012–22 financial year, handling 816,873 passengers. Like most Australian airports, MCY was impacted by travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that saw passenger numbers decline from a peak of 1,257,561 in 2018–19.

History

A terminal building was constructed in 1979. The runway was extended to 1797m (5,896feet) in 1983 to allow the operation of Fokker F28 Fellowship and BAe 146 regional jets. The runway was upgraded again in 1993 to allow the operation of larger Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 jets. A new terminal building was completed in 1997 and the airport was renamed Maroochydore-Sunshine Coast Airport.[3]

By 2009, the airport handled 916,845 annual passengers, making it the 15th busiest airport in Australia. On 3 June 2010, the airport changed its name from "Maroochydore-Sunshine Coast Airport" to "Sunshine Coast Airport" and changed its ICAO code from YBMC to YBSU.[4] The airport handled approximately 87,000 aircraft movements in 2012 and was nearing or exceeding its capacity of 900,000 annual passengers in consecutive years .[5]

International flights and growth

In February 2012, Air New Zealand announced plans to launch a new twice-weekly service between Auckland and Sunshine Coast Airport, to operate seasonally from July to September,[6] the first time scheduled International flights had operated from Sunshine Coast Airport. Customs, immigration and quarantine facilities were added to the terminal ahead of the first flight. On 12 November, Air New Zealand announced that the season would be extended in 2013, with flights operating from June to October.[7] Air New Zealand later committed to operating the services until at least 2017.[8]

2016 saw domestic airlines Jetstar, QantasLink and Virgin Australia significantly increase their capacity through Sunshine Coast Airport, adding more than 65,000 extra seats. 24,200 more seats were added between Sydney and Sunshine Coast, 16,920 extra on the Melbourne to Sunshine Coast route, while Jetstar introduced direct flights to Adelaide, providing 23,400 seats on the new route.[9] A total of 244,708 passengers arrived or departed from Sunshine Coast Airport during the summer season from December 2015 and February 2016.

On 9 February 2017, Sunshine Coast Regional Council mayor Mark Jamieson announced that Palisade Investment Partners had been awarded a 99-year lease to operate the airport, with the lease running until 2116.[10]

Expansion and reconfiguration

To address capacity issues at the airport, John Holland Group were contracted to undertake a major upgrade and expansion project in 2018.[11] As part of the construction, the existing 1797m (5,896feet) runway 18/36, which handled all commercial jet traffic was decommissioned and converted to a taxiway. Its replacement was a new 2450m (8,040feet) NW-SE runway (Runway 13/31). To allow for this, the 650m (2,130feet) general aviation runway (12/30) was also removed.[12] [13] The scope of these works were controversial amongst airport tenants and communities that would be overflown by the new flight paths, becoming the subject of numerous legal challenges.

A series of environmental considerations were given to the expansion, including the Coordinator-General's recommendation to ensure the requirements for tidal flap to allow conveyance of floodwater and avoid submergence of mangrove roots for extended periods. Other requirement such as offsetting to provide additional critical habitat for vulnerable flora and fauna including revegetation of sections to provide adequate and alternate suitable wildlife corridors for species.[14]

On 14 June 2020, the new runway (13/31) was opened, allowing operation of larger wide body aircraft such as Airbus A330 and Boeing 777, Boeing 787 with longer range capable of direct flights to Southeast Asia, China and Hawaii, with minimal impact on nearby residents. Use of wide body aircraft such as Airbus A330 and Boeing 777, Boeing 787 would allow for direct flights to Southeast Asia, China and Hawaii,[15] This upgrade also allowed for more domestic flights, typically using Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 airliners, to operate with greater payloads.[16]

During 2019, Air New Zealand had already extended seasonal flights to Auckland from 2020 through to 2023 with the backing of the Queensland Government, operating from April to October[17] Following completion of the airport's expansion, on 25 June 2021 a further agreement was announced that secured year-round flights on the route.[18]

In February 2022, low-cost carrier Bonza announced that the airport would become its headquarters and one of two main bases for its planned start-up operation.[19]

Terminal and facilities

The airport has a single terminal, which can be split into separate international and domestic areas to accommodate Air New Zealand's Auckland flights. The single-storey building has no aerobridges; passengers must take a short walk across the tarmac to reach their aircraft.

There are no airline lounges within the terminal, however the public departure lounge provides seating available for about 300 people. Free WiFi is available throughout the building and there are several food and shopping outlets.[20] Each of the six airlines operating have dedicated check-in desks and gates. There are four baggage carousels, TV monitors, a taxi rank, shuttle bus services and hire-car desks.

Statistics

Annual passenger statistics for Sunshine Coast Airport[21] ! Year !! Domestic !! International !! Total !! Change
1998279,546 - 279,546 -1.3%
1999298,533 - 298,533 6.8%
2000268,302 - 268,302 -10.1%
2001230,697 - 230,697 -14.0%
2002241,700 - 241,700 4.8%
2003392,133 - 392,133 62.2%
2004516,167 - 516,167 31.6%
2005764,137 - 764,137 48.0%
2006846,723 - 846,723 10.8%
2007868,169 - 868,169 2.5%
2008950,523 - 950,523 9.5%
2009859,007 - 859,007 -9.6%
2010863,669 - 863,669 0.5%
2011857,415 - 857,415 -0.7%
2012789,662 5,713 795,375 -7.2%
2013858,099 8,405 866,504 8.9%
2014862,100 10,248 872,348 0.7%
2015888,106 13,598 901,704 3.4%
2016992,752 17,506 1,010,258 12.0%
20171,112,965 13,719 1,126,684 11.5%
20181,220,602 14,303 1,234,905 9.6%
20191,269,952 13,084 1,283,036 3.9%
2020327,378 - 327,378 -74.5%
2021576,199 512 576,711 76.2%
20221,485,533 7,902 1,493,435 159.0%
20231,834,53212,7831,847,315 23.6%
Busiest routes out of Sunshine Coast Airport for passengers carried (Year ending December)[22] [23]
RankAirport20152016201720182019202020212022% Change (12 month)
1472,200513,600558,500628,800665,000155,900227,000684,000 201%
2379,400427,100458,100544,900558,000134,400270,000724,000 168%
38,02610,22813,72814,30313,08405127,902 1,443%
Total859,626950,9281,030,3281,188,0031,236,084290,300497,5121,415,902 184%

Ground transport

The airport is served by local taxi service Suncoast Cabs and by Sunbus Sunshine Coast's route 622 from Sunshine Plaza to Noosa Junction.

Airport shuttle services are run by several companies offering transfer to Sunshine Coast hotels and private residences. They connect to all suburbs south of the Sunshine Coast Airport including Twin Waters, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba, Kawana Waters, Buderim, Caloundra, Golden Beach and Pelican Waters.

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Airport Traffic Data 1985-86 to 2021-22. Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics (BITRE). 7 December 2022. 22 February 2023.
  2. Web site: Movements at Australian Airports. Airservices Australia. 30 June 2022. 22 February 2023.
  3. Web site: Airport History. Sunshine Coast Airport. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110903125010/http://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/go.cfm/corporate. 3 September 2011. dmy-all.
  4. Web site: Maroochydore name change. 1 March 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120528040040/http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/11_May_2010_-_Maroochydore_Name_Change.pdf. 28 May 2012. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: About Sunshine Coast Airports. Sunshine Coast Regional Council. January 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121208075524/http://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/siteresources/documents/About_SCAirports_Jan2012.pdf. 8 December 2012. dmy-all.
  6. News: NZ flights to start at $149. Sunshine Coast Daily. 23 February 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225041928/http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/02/23/us-tourists-on-radar/. 25 February 2012. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Air New Zealand flights returning in 2013. Sunshine Coast Regional Council. November 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130411041332/http://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/siteresources/media_releases/Media%20Release%2020%20Nov%202012%20Air%20NZ%20SC%20Airport%202013.pdf. 11 April 2013. dmy-all.
  8. http://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/documents/20140625%20Air%20New%20Zealand%20-%20Fact%20Sheet_FINAL.pdf Auckland – Sunshine Coast Direct Flights
  9. Web site: Huge flight boost for southeast Queensland . 2016-11-06 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161115104040/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast-airport-flight-times-increase-in-time-for-summer/news-story/4f30bee8d9212bf6332d0d70475db948 . 15 November 2016 . dmy-all . 12 October 2016 .
  10. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/sunshine-coast-will-lease-maroochydore-airport-for-99-years-council-to-be-paid-605m-20170209-gu91hk.html "Sunshine Coast will lease Maroochydore airport for 99 years, council to be paid $605m"
  11. Web site: Breaking: John Holland ground to build Sunshine Coast Airport expansion. 28 February 2018. 1 March 2018.
  12. Web site: About the project . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220417023411/https://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/corporate/expansion-project/project-background/ . 2022-04-17 . 2022-04-17.
  13. Web site: Aerodrome Chart (YBSU). 10 January 2021.
  14. https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/resources/project/sunshine-coast-airport/scae-cger-final-may-2016.pdf#page137 Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion project, Coordinator-General’s evaluation report on the environmental impact statement May 2016
  15. http://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/documents/Exec_Summary.pdf Master Plan
  16. https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/News-Centre/Region-set-to-soar-as-runway-turns-Council-vision-into-reality Region set to soar as runway turns Council’s vision into reality
  17. Web site: New kiwi flights to generate $11 million for the Sunshine Coast. Queensland Government. October 2019.
  18. News: Queensland gets year-round flights with Air New Zealand to Gold Coast, Cairns, Sunshine Coast. . 25 June 2021 . New Zealand Herald.
  19. Web site: Bonza Announces New Destinations. Bay939Radio . Bay939 . 16 February 2022 . en . 15 February 2022.
  20. Web site: Sunshine Coast Airport Guide. Sleeping in Airports. 22 February 2023.
  21. Web site: Airport Traffic Data 1985 to 2022. 26 October 2023.
  22. http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/domestic_airline_activity_2014_2015.pdf Domestic aviation activity Annual 2014–15
  23. Web site: Domestic aviation activity 2017–18. Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities. Australian Domestic Aviation Activity Annual Publications. 26 May 2019.