Gold Coast Airport
{{Short description|Airport on the state border between Queensland and New South Wales, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Gold Coast Airport
| nativename = Gold Coast–Coolangatta
| image = Gold Coast Airport logo.svg
| image-width = 200
| image2 = Gold Coast Airport 2022 terminal facade 04.jpg
| image2-width = 250
| IATA = OOL
| ICAO = YBCG
| type = Public
| owner-oper = Queensland Airports
| area-served = Gold Coast–Tweed Heads
| location = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| Tweed Heads West, New South Wales}}
| focus_city = Virgin Australia
| operating_base = Jetstar
| elevation-f = 21
| coordinates = {{coord|28|09|54|S|153|30|22|E|region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/|goldcoastairport.com.au}}
| pushpin_map = Australia Gold Coast#Queensland#Australia#Oceania
| pushpin_label = OOL/YBCG
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Queensland
| mapframe = yes
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=12|frame-latitude=-28.166723|frame-longitude=153.5131552}}
| metric-rwy = yes
| r1-number = 14/32
| r1-length-m = 2,492
| r1-surface = Asphalt
| r2-number = 17/35
| r2-length-m = 582
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = 2016/17
| stat1-header = Passenger movements
| stat1-data = {{increase}} 6,457,086
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = {{increase}} 42,570
| footnotes = Sources: AIP{{AIP AU|YBCG|name=Gold Coast}}
passenger and aircraft movements from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE)[http://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/WebAirport_FY_1986-2015.xls Airport traffic data] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314070313/http://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/WebAirport_FY_1986-2015.xls |date=14 March 2016 }}
| WMO = 94592
}}
| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear: right; margin:7px; text-size:100%; text-align:right"
! style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| Gold Coast Airport statistics{{cite web|title=Airport Traffic Data 1985–86 to 2010–11|url=http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/WebAirport_FY_1986-2011.xls|publisher=Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE)|access-date=5 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324180211/https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/WebAirport_FY_1986-2011.xls|archive-date=24 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} | |
| Year | Total passengers |
|---|---|
| 2001–02
| 1,736,004 | |
| 2002–03
| 2,177,602 | |
| 2003–04
| 2,504,001 | |
| 2004–05
| 3,141,771 | |
| 2005–06
| 3,515,021 | |
| 2006–07
| 3,777,856 | |
| 2007–08
| 4,323,355 | |
| 2008–09
| 4,618,200 | |
| 2009–10
| 5,186,147 | |
| 2010–11
| 5,486,072 | |
| 2011–12
| 5,315,923 | |
| 2012–13
| 5,795,449 | |
| 2013–14
| 5,746,566 | |
| 2014–15
| 5,865,437 | |
| 2015–16
| 6,303,920 |
Gold Coast Airport (formerly known as Coolangatta Airport;{{cite web|title=About Gold Coast Airport|url=http://goldcoastairport.com.au/corporate/about-gold-coast-airport/|publisher=Gold Coast Airport|access-date=13 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415091858/http://goldcoastairport.com.au/corporate/about-gold-coast-airport/|archive-date=15 April 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} {{airport codes|OOL|YBCG|p=n}}) is a domestic and international Australian airport located at the southern end of the Gold Coast and approximately {{convert|90|km|abbr=on}} south of Brisbane, within the South East Queensland agglomeration. The entrance to the airport is situated in the suburb of Bilinga near Coolangatta. The main runway itself cuts through the state borders of Queensland and New South Wales. During summer, these states are in two different time zones. The Gold Coast Airport operates on Queensland Time (year-round AEST / UTC+10).
The facility occupies 371 hectares (917 acres) of airport property.{{cite web|url=https://web-data.qldairports.com.au/gcal/documents/GCA-Master-Plan-August-2017.pdf|title=GCA Airport Master Plan 2017 (pgs.34,128)|website=web-data.qidairports.com.au|access-date= November 15, 2023}}
History
Until 1989, the airport was known as Coolangatta Airport. This is an Aboriginal word meaning "Place of Good View". It originally consisted (1936) of three grass strips with the intention of only providing an emergency landing ground for airmail aircraft transiting between Brisbane and Sydney. Passenger flights took off for the first time in 1939 using the then grassy field of the current Coolangatta site. Regular services were started by Queensland Airlines and Butler Air Transport after World War II. Ansett started its own services in 1950 using DC-3s, while Trans Australia Airlines did the same in 1954 using DC-3s, too, as well as DC-4s and Convairs to link other Australian cities.{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/gcal-history.php|title=About|publisher=Gold Coast Airport|access-date=30 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906045659/http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/gcal-history.php|archive-date=6 September 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
By 1958, the taxiways and runways were fully paved, with the latter upgraded a decade later to allow jet operations with DC-9 and L-188 Electra aircraft to begin. The current terminal, known as the Eric Robinson Building, was officially opened in 1981 by Acting Prime Minister Douglas Anthony, when at the time more than 650,000 passengers were using the airport. The following year, the main runway was lengthened to {{convert|2042|m|abbr=on|0}}, thus permitting the use of wide-body jets by the two domestic operators Ansett Australia and Trans Australia Airlines and their Boeing 767 and Airbus A300 respectively on flights from Melbourne and Sydney.
From 1 January 1988, the airport was managed by the Federal Airports Corporation on behalf of the Government. A decade later, on 29 May 1998, the airport was privatised via a long-term lease to Queensland Airports (QAL). By 1999 the company's name had changed to become Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd (GCAPL).
{{cite web
|title = Gold Coast Airport History
|url = http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/gcal-history.php
|publisher = Gold Coast Airport, Queensland
|access-date = 15 February 2008
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319001524/http://goldcoastairport.com.au/corporate/about-gold-coast-airport/
|archive-date = 19 March 2012
|df = dmy-all
}}
The airport then suffered from the collapse of Ansett in 2001, as Ansett had operated direct services from the Gold Coast to 12 Australian destinations.
In 2003, GCAPL was taken over by QAL, which today also leases and operates Mount Isa Airport, Townsville Airport and Longreach Airport.{{cite web |url=http://www.qldairports.com.au/ |title=Queensland Airports Limited |publisher=Qldairports.com.au |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606181304/http://www.qldairports.com.au/ |archive-date=6 June 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
Despite the name change from Coolangatta Airport to Gold Coast Airport, the airport retains its original IATA code, OOL and ICAO code, YBCG. The Airport ownership remains with the Government of Australia.
In 1989, the airport welcomed its first international charter service from New Zealand, and by 1999 Air New Zealand low-cost subsidiary Freedom Air started scheduled no-frills service from Hamilton, New Zealand with Boeing 737s. In 2007 the airport celebrated the arrival of AirAsia X, which began services directly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Tigerair Australia, which started services to Melbourne. Subsequently, the airport has had flights from Air Pacific from Nadi, Fiji. Jetstar to Tokyo and Osaka. Services to New Zealand increased as well, with Jetstar, Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue flying to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Airnorth also started services to the airport from Darwin, via Mount Isa. In addition, Virgin Blue announced direct services from Canberra and Townsville. This opened up connections between all three Queensland Airports-owned airports – Mount Isa Airport, Townsville Airport and Gold Coast Airport.
2010 saw Jetstar announce the airport as its newest hub, increased services to Cairns{{cite web |url=http://biztravelguru.com/blogs/airline-hotel-news/archive/2010/08/24/jetstar-increases-flights-to-cairns.aspx |title=Jetstar increases flights to Cairns – Airline-Hotel-News |publisher=Biztravelguru.com |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708011727/http://biztravelguru.com/blogs/airline-hotel-news/archive/2010/08/24/jetstar-increases-flights-to-cairns.aspx |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} and new direct services to Perth{{cite web |author=Dale Granger |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/news/jetstar-to-slash-prices-and-put-on-18-extra-flights-to-perth/story-e6frg2qu-1225906360674 |title=Jetstar to slash prices and put on 22 extra flights to Perth, Latest Business & Australian Stock market News |publisher=Perth Now |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020202857/http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/news/jetstar-to-slash-prices-and-put-on-18-extra-flights-to-perth/story-e6frg2qu-1225906360674 |archive-date=20 October 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} (discontinued in 2013) and Queenstown.{{cite web |date=14 July 2010 |title=Jetstar to undercut Queenstown fares by 30% |url=http://www.aviationrecord.com/SearchResults/tabid/37/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2724/Jetstar-to-undercut-Queenstown-fares-by-30.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821204253/http://www.aviationrecord.com/SearchResults/tabid/37/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2724/Jetstar-to-undercut-Queenstown-fares-by-30.aspx |archive-date=21 August 2010 |website=www.aviationrecord.com}} Tiger Airways also announced their newest base at Avalon Airport in Geelong, and said that services from Avalon to the Gold Coast would commence later in the year;{{cite web |url=http://tigerairways.com/au/en/real_deals.php |title=Tiger Airways |publisher=Tiger Airways |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530090023/http://www.tigerairways.com/au/en/real_deals.php |archive-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} however, services to Adelaide would be cut due to delays in receiving new aircraft which were intended for their new Avalon base.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/tiger-cuts-routes-in-profit-review/story-e6frg8zx-1225909107353 |title=Tiger cuts routes in profit review |work=The Australian |date=24 August 2010 |access-date=30 May 2011 |first=Steve |last=Creedy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826054356/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/tiger-cuts-routes-in-profit-review/story-e6frg8zx-1225909107353 |archive-date=26 August 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
On 26 October 2010, Gold Coast Airport was named the 2010 Major Airport of the Year 2010 by the Australian Airports Association (AAA).{{cite web |date=27 October 2010 |title=GOLD COAST AIRPORT NAMED AAA MAJOR AIRPORT OF THE YEAR 2010 |url=http://www.qldairports.com.au/pdf/mediarelease/mediarelease_81-2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105215023/http://www.qldairports.com.au/pdf/mediarelease/mediarelease_81-2.pdf |archive-date=5 November 2010 |website=www.qldairports.com.au}}
The Gold Coast Airport served as the official airport of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/latest-news/gold-coast-airport-joins-gc2018|title=Gold Coast Airport Joins GC2018|website=www.goldcoastairport.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-12-21}}
In July 2023, Scoot Airlines suspended its Gold Coast route indefinitely, citing operational costs, leaving no direct route between the Gold Coast and Singapore.{{Cite web|url=https://mainlymiles.com/2023/02/25/scoot-bows-out-of-singapore-gold-coast-route-after-11-years/#:~:text=Singapore%20Airlines'%20low%2Dcost%20subsidiary,ago%2C%20back%20in%20June%202012.|title=Scoot Airlines axes Gold Coast|language=en|date= 2023}}
On 1 August 2023, Bonza announced it would open its third base at Gold Coast Airport, flying on 14 routes, 11 of which are not flown by other airlines.{{cite news |title=Bonza to launch 11 new routes with new Gold Coast base |url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2023/08/bonza-to-launch-11-new-routes-with-new-gold-coast-base/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |work=Australian Aviation |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-01 |title=Bonza reveals the Gold Coast as its Third Base |url=https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/bonza-reveals-the-gold-coast-as-its-third-base/ |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Travel Weekly |language=en}} Bonza launched the new routes starting November 2023, but ceased all operations when it declared bankruptcy in April 2024.https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/bonza-flights-cancelled-as-aircraft-repossessed-20240430-p5fnjf
In October 2023, Jetstar replaced its Gold Coast to Tokyo route with Brisbane, to better utilize resources.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=GCWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldcoastbulletin.com.au%2Fnews%2Fgold-coast%2Fgold-coast-airport-loses-major-direct-flight-in-jetstar-move-to-brisbane%2Fnews-story%2F1e7ec3ef38159b9148b3746bc4b5679c&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium|title=Why Jetstar cancelled GC Airports Tokyo flights|language=en|date=2023}}
On 17 July 2024, AirAsia X announced it was ceasing operations to the Gold Coast from 1 December 2024 due to operational costs. Gold Coast airport now has severely limited international connections.{{Cite web|url=https://support.airasia.com/s/article/AirAsia-X-Suspends-Kuala-Lumpur-Gold-Coast-Route?language=en_GB|title=AirAsia X Suspends Kuala Lumpur - Gold Coast Route|language=en|date= 17 July 2024 }}
However, despite numerous international service reductions, Gold Coast Airport will be the most connected Australian airport with New Zealand when, in June 2025, Jetstar will commence flights to Hamilton and Dunedin.
Infrastructure
File:GoldCoastAirportTerminalFromJetstarAirbus320.jpg]]
File:Interior of Gold Coast Airport terminal.jpg
File:Gold Coast Airport - Terminal Expansion Trial on 30 Aug 2022 - 14.jpg
File:220830 Gold Coast Airport - Terminal Trial 20.jpg
It is anticipated that a railway station will be constructed at the airport if the Gold Coast line is extended. In 2008, the Tugun Bypass opened and featured a tunnel under the runway.
{{cite web
|title = Tugun Bypass project – Queensland Department of Main Roads
|url = http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/publicCR.nsf/0/6B4C54DEFFF3A2B04A25735C00068DFE?OpenDocument
|publisher = Queensland Government
|access-date = 2 February 2008
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120303124322/http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/
|archive-date = 3 March 2012
|df = dmy-all
}}
The airport opened an extension to the main runway as well as a full-length parallel taxiway in May 2007. The runway will be {{Convert|2500|m|abbr=on|0}} long, allowing for heavier aircraft with greater range to takeoff.Finelli, Marco: Coolangatta Gold Coast – An airport with a golden future, page 55, ([http://www.airlinerworld.com Airliner World online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402231743/http://www.airlinerworld.com/ |date=2 April 2018 }}) September 2005 The final runway was confirmed as {{Convert|2492|m|abbr=on|0}} long in 2007, as says the plaque and photos of the 2006 runway length of {{Convert|2042|m|abbr=on|0}} compared to the 2007 runway length of {{Convert|2492|m|abbr=on|0}} on the left wall of the arrivals southern exit.
On 16 May 2007, the runway extension was officially inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport, Mark Vaile.[http://www.ministers.dotars.gov.au/mv/releases/2007/May/075MV_2007.htm Tourism takes off at Gold Coast Airport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518071251/http://www.ministers.dotars.gov.au/mv/releases/2007/May/075MV_2007.htm |date=18 May 2007 }} Minister for Transport and Regional Services online
Gold Coast Airport appointed ADCO Constructions as the principal design and construct contractor for a $100-million redevelopment of the airport's main terminal. Completed in 2010, the project doubled the size of the existing facility to almost {{convert|27000|m2|abbr=on}}, incorporating domestic and international operations with self-service kiosks and 40 common-user check-in desks. The works will accommodate forecast growth for the next 10 years with a further expansion, stage two, scheduled to kick in upon demand. The main terminal – Terminal 1 – currently houses operations for Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex, Air New Zealand and Scoot.
Before moving to the main terminal, Tigerair flights previously operated from a low-cost terminal with basic amenities, located approximately {{convert|200|m|abbr=on}} from the main terminal building.
Seair Pacific, a scheduled and charter airline based at Gold Coast Airport, operate from their own hangar in the general aviation part of the airport.
An Instrument Landing System (ILS) was scheduled to be installed at the airport by June 2015 to enable planes to land during adverse weather conditions. It would be a Required navigation performance (RNP) system rather than a traditional ILS as this would allow planes to cross the coast at Currumbin rather than Surfers Paradise and therefore fly over fewer houses. The proposed ILS had become an issue with residents concerned with noise.{{cite news|last=Potts|first=Andrew|title=Instrument landing system to be installed at Gold Coast Airport by June 2015|url=http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/instrument-landing-system-to-be-installed-at-gold-coast-airport-by-june-2015/story-fnj94idh-1226824061377|access-date=12 February 2014|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223234419/http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/instrument-landing-system-to-be-installed-at-gold-coast-airport-by-june-2015/story-fnj94idh-1226824061377|archive-date=23 February 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} On 25 January 2016 the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, approved the installation of an ILS at Gold Coast Airport. Due to Ground contamination that was found at the ILS location, it will not be able to be installed before the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web|title=ILS Installation Approval – AirService Australia |url=http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/projects/gold-coast-ils/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303164337/http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/projects/gold-coast-ils/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 |publisher=AirService Australia |access-date=29 January 2016}}
= Terminal expansion =
2016 saw the commencement of Project LIFT an approximate $300 million upgrade featuring two new wide-bodied aircraft stands and a three-level terminal development with four aerobridges and improved ground transport facilities. It enabled up to 19 additional aircraft to take off and touch down.
In July 2019, work began on the {{Convert|30000|m2|4=0|adj=on}} southern terminal expansion. Infrastructure group Lendlease was appointed to deliver the project.{{cite web |url=https://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/news/terminal-expansion |website=Gold Coast Airport Latest News |publisher=Gold Coast Airport|title=Terminal Expansion }}
By August 2022, much of the expansion work was complete and 400 volunteers participated in a mass trial at the Gold Coast Airport's new terminal on 30 August 2022.{{cite news |last1=Sheehan |first1=Heidi |title=Hundreds of volunteers test the new Gold Coast Airport Terminal in large-scale dress rehearsal |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-30/gold-coast-airport-terminal-mass-dress-rehearsal-before-opening/101385708 |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=ABC Gold Coast |agency=ABC |publisher=ABC |date=30 August 2022}}
Lounges
Gold Coast Airport has two airline lounges: one, operated by Virgin Australia, has been operational since 30 May 2012,{{cite web|url=http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-opens-new-gold-coast-airport-lounge|title=Virgin Australia opens new Gold Coast airport lounge|work=Australian Business Traveller|author=David Flynn|date=30 May 2012|access-date=1 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404115206/http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-opens-new-gold-coast-airport-lounge|archive-date=4 April 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} and is available to business class passengers, Virgin Australia lounge members, and Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum members. A Qantas Club has been operational at the airport as of 3 December 2012,{{cite web|url=http://www.ausbt.com.au/first-pictures-of-new-qantas-club-at-gold-coast-airport|title=First pictures of new Qantas Club at Gold Coast|work=Australian Business Traveller|author=John Walton|date=3 December 2012|access-date=1 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215033417/http://www.ausbt.com.au/first-pictures-of-new-qantas-club-at-gold-coast-airport|archive-date=15 February 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} and is available to business class passengers, Qantas Club members, and Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold and Platinum members.
Airlines and destinations
=Passenger=
The following airlines operate scheduled and in some cases chartered passenger flights from Gold Coast Airport. All passenger airlines operate flights from the main terminal (T1) with the exception of Seair Pacific, which operates from their own hangar in the general aviation part of the airport and Eastern Air Services which operates from the General Aviation apron.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=AirAsia X announces return of Gold Coast-Auckland service |url=https://newsroom.airasia.com/news/airasia-x-announces-return-of-gold-coast-auckland-service |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=airasia newsroom |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-24 |title=Quitting: AirAsia X pulls out of New Zealand - again |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/airasia-x-pulling-out-of-auckland-in-blow-to-transtasman-competition/OPL2VWJZWNAKVJIABCGKYONVMU/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}
{{Airport-dest-list
|Air New Zealand | Auckland, Christchurch
|{{nowrap|Eastern Air Services}} | Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie
|FlyPelican | Newcastle{{cite news |last1=Weekly |first1=Travel |title=FlyPelican launches direct morning flights between Newcastle and the Gold Coast |url=https://travelweekly.com.au/article/flypelican-launches-direct-morning-flights-between-newcastle-and-the-gold-coast/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Travel Weekly |date=5 February 2025 |language=en-AU}}
|Hong Kong Airlines | Seasonal: Hong Kong{{cite web|url=https://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/latest-news/gold-coast-airport-lands-first-hong-kong-connection-in-six-years|title=Gold Coast Airport lands first Hong Kong connection in six years|date=22 August 2024}}
|Jetstar | Adelaide, Auckland, Avalon, Cairns, Canberra,{{cite news |author1=Penny Travers |title=Jetstar to fly directly from Canberra to Melbourne, Gold Coast |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-09/jetstar-direct-flights-canberra-to-melbourne-gold-coast/101048538 |work=ABC News |date=9 May 2022 |language=en-AU}} Christchurch, Denpasar (begins 1 August 2025),{{cite news |last1=Antonio |first1=Jose |title=Jetstar launches new direct flights between Bali and Gold Coast |url=https://travelweekly.com.au/jetstar-launches-new-direct-flights-between-bali-and-gold-coast/ |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=Travel Weekly |date=17 April 2025 |language=en-AU}} Dunedin (begins 24 June 2025),{{cite news |title=Jetstar launches trans-Tasman flights from Dunedin, Hamilton |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350416057/jetstar-launches-trans-tasman-flights-dunedin-hamilton |access-date=16 September 2024 |publisher=Stuff news}} Hamilton (begins 18 June 2025),{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350416057/jetstar-launches-trans-tasman-flights-dunedin-hamilton |title=Stuff }} Hobart,{{cite web | url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/294236/jetstar-to-resume-gold-coast-hobart-service-from-dec-2020/ | title=Jetstar to resume Gold Coast – Hobart service from Dec 2020 }} Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Queenstown, Sydney, Wellington
Seasonal: Darwin (begins 26 June 2025){{cite news |author=Mirage News |title=Jetstar Launches Seasonal Darwin-Gold Coast Route |url=https://www.miragenews.com/jetstar-launches-seasonal-darwin-gold-coast-1402623/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Mirage News |language=en-AU}}
|QantasLink | Seasonal: Adelaide
|Seair Pacific | Hervey Bay, Lady Elliot Island, Redcliffe
|Virgin Australia | Adelaide, Canberra, Denpasar, Melbourne, Sydney
}}
=Cargo=
The following airlines operate scheduled cargo flights from Gold Coast Airport.
{{airport-dest-list
|Qantas Freight[https://freight.qantas.com/freight-planning/flight-schedule.html freight.qantas.com - Freighter schedule] retrieved 17 December 2022 | Sydney
}}
Qantas Freight uses the cargo space of Jetstar aircraft to transport cargo domestically. It is also contracted for Jetstar international flights and Air New Zealand flights from the airport. It offers same day/overnight and standby services domestically airport to airport and airport to door from Gold Coast Airport.{{cite web |url=http://goldcoastairport.com.au/at-the-airport/general-aviation-freight/ |title=General Aviation & Freight |publisher=Gold Coast Airport |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612071128/http://goldcoastairport.com.au/at-the-airport/general-aviation-freight/ |archive-date=12 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} All cargo services operate from the Freight Terminal. Coast Cargo is a registered Cargo Terminal Operator (CTO) and currently handles Virgin Australia. It is also the agent for Toll Air Express.{{cite web|title=General Aviation and Freight|url=http://goldcoastairport.com.au/at-the-airport/general-aviation-freight/|work=Gold Coast Airport – At the Airport|publisher=Gold Coast Airport|access-date=6 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813235116/http://goldcoastairport.com.au/at-the-airport/general-aviation-freight/|archive-date=13 August 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Statistics
=Total annual passengers=
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=OOL}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Annual passenger statistics for Gold Coast Airport{{cite web|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/webairport_cy_1985-2022.xlsx|title=Airport Traffic Data 1985 to 2022|access-date=26 October 2023}} ! Year !! Domestic !! International !! Total !! Change | |||
| 1998
| 1,840,196 | 14,519 | 1,854,715 | {{decrease}} -2.0% |
| 1999
| 1,882,696 | 16,923 | 1,899,619 | {{increase}} 2.4% |
| 2000
| 1,857,572 | 28,138 | 1,885,710 | {{decrease}} -0.7% |
| 2001
| 1,792,051 | 41,581 | 1,833,632 | {{decrease}} -2.8% |
| 2002
| 1,887,834 | 113,127 | 2,000,961 | {{increase}} 9.1% |
| 2003
| 2,116,525 | 138,938 | 2,255,463 | {{increase}} 12.7% |
| 2004
| 2,677,820 | 136,408 | 2,814,228 | {{increase}} 24.8% |
| 2005
| 3,232,944 | 203,523 | 3,436,467 | {{increase}} 22.1% |
| 2006
| 3,423,358 | 193,441 | 3,616,799 | {{increase}} 5.2% |
| 2007
| 3,735,826 | 210,762 | 3,946,588 | {{increase}} 9.1% |
| 2008
| 4,183,352 | 339,144 | 4,522,496 | {{increase}} 14.6% |
| 2009
| 4,246,436 | 636,332 | 4,882,768 | {{increase}} 8.0% |
| 2010
| 4,729,951 | 786,669 | 5,516,620 | {{increase}} 13.0% |
| 2011
| 4,581,300 | 715,863 | 5,297,163 | {{decrease}} -4.0% |
| 2012
| 4,854,885 | 824,424 | 5,679,309 | {{increase}} 7.2% |
| 2013
| 4,902,269 | 864,905 | 5,767,174 | {{increase}} 1.5% |
| 2014
| 4,947,853 | 880,971 | 5,828,824 | {{increase}} 1.1% |
| 2015
| 5,081,391 | 942,967 | 6,024,358 | {{increase}} 3.4% |
| 2016
| 5,317,757 | 1,093,558 | 6,411,315 | {{increase}} 6.4% |
| 2017
| 5,398,985 | 1,080,098 | 6,479,083 | {{increase}} 1.1% |
| 2018
| 5,461,184 | 1,025,198 | 6,486,382 | {{increase}} 0.1% |
| 2019
| 5,543,608 | 940,995 | 6,484,603 | {{decrease}} 0.0% |
| 2020
| 1,514,472 | 207,744 | 1,722,216 | {{decrease}} -73.4% |
| 2021
| 2,038,812 | 44,244 | 2,083,056 | {{increase}} 21.0% |
| 2022
| 5,317,495 | 391,192 | 5,708,687 | {{increase}} 174.1% |
=Domestic=
| class="wikitable sortable" width= align=
|+Busiest domestic routes – Gold Coast Airport (2023){{cite web |date=2022 |title=Australian Domestic Airline Activity 2023 |url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Domestic-Aviation-Activity-publication-December2023.pdf |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=Aviation Statistics |publisher=Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics }} ! Rank | Airport | Passengers | % Change |
| 1 | Sydney | 2,649,800 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|15.3%}} |
| 2 | Melbourne | 2,422,100 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|15.3%}} |
| 3 | Adelaide | 283,000 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|26.8%}} |
| 4 | Canberra | 190,700 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|32.1%}} |
=International=
| class="wikitable sortable" width=""
|+ Busiest international routes – Gold Coast Airport (year ending 30 June 2024){{cite web|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/international-airline-activity-city-pairs-2009-to-current-0624--xlsx.xlsx|title=International Airline Activity—Time Series|publisher=bitre.gov.au|date=8 September 2024|access-date=8 September 2024}} | |||
| style="background:lightgrey;"
! Rank | Airport | Passengers | % Change |
| 1 | Auckland | 320,289 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|10.8%}} |
| 2 | Christchurch | 83,221 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|0.0%}} |
| 3 | Denpasar | 72,792 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|285.9}} |
| 4 | Wellington | 59,741 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|2.7%}} |
| 5 | Kuala Lumpur | 59,367 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|334.3%}} |
| 6 | Queenstown | 51,925 | {{increase}} {{Sort|04|7.4%}} |
Public transportation
{{See also|Transport on the Gold Coast, Queensland}}
=Road=
The airport is located on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway in Bilinga, the terminal is 300 metres from the highway. The Gold Coast Highway passes through all the coastal suburbs of the city and is the most direct route to most of the major holiday destinations on the Gold Coast.
The Pacific Motorway (M1) interchange is 1.5 km south of the airport just over the NSW border in Tweed Heads West. The Pacific Motorway connects the city to Northern NSW, Gold Coast's western suburbs, and Brisbane CBD.
=Public bus=
All bus services are provided by Kinetic Group.
- Route 777 (northbound) – Broadbeach South light rail station via Gold Coast Highway. This service is a limited stop, express service only. From there, passengers can connect to other bus services and the G:link.{{cite web|author1=Translink|title=705, 777|url=http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/all-timetables|publisher=Queensland Government|access-date=18 June 2014|date=20 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714170231/http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/all-timetables|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
- 760 (northbound) – Robina Town Centre via Varsity Lakes railway station and The Pines Shopping Centre.
- Route 760 (north & southbound) – Tweed Heads via Kirra and Coolangatta.{{cite web|author1=Translink|title=761|url=http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/all-timetables|publisher=Queensland Government|access-date=18 June 2014|date=20 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714170231/http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/all-timetables|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
=Airport shuttles=
There are a number of private operators offering transfers between Gold Coast Airport and Brisbane. Scheduled transfers are available for arriving and departing passengers.{{cite web|title=Transport|url=http://goldcoastairport.com.au/visitors-information/transport-6/|publisher=Gold Coast Airport|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604052557/http://goldcoastairport.com.au/visitors-information/transport-6/|archive-date=4 June 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Link Transfers|url=http://www.linktransfers.com.au/|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522074251/http://www.linktransfers.com.au/|archive-date=22 May 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
=Train=
The Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2031 includes an extension of the G:link light rail to the airport, while the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program envisions extending the Gold Coast Line train line to the airport. As of 2019, neither have been approved to begin construction.
Accidents and incidents
{{main|1949 Queensland Airlines Lockheed Lodestar crash}}
In March 1949, a Lockheed Lodestar aircraft became airborne at Bilinga airstrip for a flight to Archerfield Airport. Before reaching a height of {{Convert|500|ft|abbr=on}} it stalled and crashed. All 21 occupants died in the crash or the ensuing conflagration. It was Queensland's worst civil aviation accident.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page2021741 Courier-Mail – 11 March 1949] Retrieved 5 December 2011Job, Macarthur. [http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/fsa/1999/nov/fsa47.pdf "Horror at Coolangatta."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326213855/http://casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/fsa/1999/nov/fsa47.pdf |date=26 March 2012 }} Flight Safety Australia, via casa.gov.au, November–December 1999, p. 47. Retrieved: 30 November 2011
Awards
Gold Coast Airport received the "best airport award for customer experience" at the 2018 National Airport Industry Awards hosted by the Australian Airports Association in Brisbane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/latest-news/gold-coast-airport-takes-out-top-customer-experience-gong|title=Gold Coast Airport takes out top customer experience gong|website=www.goldcoastairport.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-12-21}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Gold Coast Airport}}
- [http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/ Official website]
{{Portal bar|Queensland|Aviation}}
{{Airports in Australia}}
{{Airports in Queensland}}
{{Gold Coast Landmarks}}
Category:Airports established in 1939
Category:Airports in New South Wales
Category:Airports in Queensland
Category:Buildings and structures on the Gold Coast, Queensland
Category:Transport on the Gold Coast, Queensland
Category:1939 establishments in Australia