Sunshine Coast Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerSunshine Coast Regional Council
OperatorPalisade Investment Partners
ServesSunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
LocationMarcoola, Queensland
Elevation AMSL15 ft / 5 m
Coordinates26°36′12″S 153°05′30″E / 26.60333°S 153.09167°E / -26.60333; 153.09167
Websitesunshinecoastairport.com.au
Map
YBSU is located in Queensland
YBSU
YBSU
Location in Queensland
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
13/31 2,450 8,038 Asphalt
Statistics (2021-22)
Passengers816,873
Aircraft movements51,204

Sunshine Coast Airport (formerly Maroochydore Airport) (IATA: MCY, ICAO: YBSU) is an Australian international airport located in Marcoola, 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Maroochydore, at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast. It is approximately 90 km (56 mi) 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, New South Wales and Victoria. 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.[2]

History

The Queensland Government granted a parcel of land to the Maroochy Shire Council in 1958 for use as a general aviation airstrip. The first test landing on a grass strip was on 16 August 1959. The airstrip was initially used by the Maroochy Aero Club and Queensland Parachute Club. Maroochy Shire Council funded the construction of a 4,500 ft (1,400 m) sealed runway, suitable for Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft, which opened on 12 August 1961. With the commencement of regular public transport services, the airstrip was renamed Maroochydore Airport. Lights for night landings were provided in 1974.

A terminal building was constructed in 1979. The runway was extended to 1,797 m (5,896 ft) 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.[4]

By 2009, the airport handled 916,845 annual passengers, making it the 15th busiest airport in Australia.[2] 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.[5] 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 .[6]

Sunshine Coast Airport branding used prior to August 2022

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,[7] 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.[8] Air New Zealand later committed to operating the services until at least 2017.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12] As part of the construction, the existing 1,797 m (5,896 ft) runway 18/36, which handled all commercial jet traffic was decommissioned and converted to a taxiway. Its replacement was a new 2,450 m (8,040 ft) NW-SE runway (Runway 13/31). To allow for this, the 650 m (2,130 ft) general aviation runway (12/30) was also removed.[13][14] 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.[15] 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.[15]

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.[6] 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,[16] This upgrade also allowed for more domestic flights, typically using Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 airliners, to operate with greater payloads.[17]

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[18] Following completion of the airport's expansion, on 25 June 2021 a further agreement was announced that secured year-round flights on the route.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21] Each of the three airlines operating have dedicated check-in desks and gates. There are two baggage carousels, TV monitors, a taxi rank, shuttle bus services and hire-car desks.

Statistics

Annual passenger traffic at MCY airport. See Wikidata query.
Annual passenger statistics for Sunshine Coast Airport[22]
YearDomesticInternationalTotalChange
1998 279,546-279,546Decrease -1.3%
1999 298,533-298,533Increase 6.8%
2000 268,302-268,302Decrease -10.1%
2001 230,697-230,697Decrease -14.0%
2002 241,700-241,700Increase 4.8%
2003 392,133-392,133Increase 62.2%
2004 516,167-516,167Increase 31.6%
2005 764,137-764,137Increase 48.0%
2006 846,723-846,723Increase 10.8%
2007 868,169-868,169Increase 2.5%
2008 950,523-950,523Increase 9.5%
2009 859,007-859,007Decrease -9.6%
2010 863,669-863,669Increase 0.5%
2011 857,415-857,415Decrease -0.7%
2012 789,6625,713795,375Decrease -7.2%
2013 858,0998,405866,504Increase 8.9%
2014 862,10010,248872,348Increase 0.7%
2015 888,10613,598901,704Increase 3.4%
2016 992,75217,5061,010,258Increase 12.0%
2017 1,112,96513,7191,126,684Increase 11.5%
2018 1,220,60214,3031,234,905Increase 9.6%
2019 1,269,95213,0841,283,036Increase 3.9%
2020 327,378-327,378Decrease -74.5%
2021 576,199512576,711Increase 76.2%
2022 1,485,5337,9021,493,435Increase 159.0%
Busiest routes out of Sunshine Coast Airport for passengers carried (Year ending December)[23][24]
Rank Airport 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022  % Change (12 month)
1Sydney472,200513,600 558,500 628,800 665,000 155,900 227,000 684,000Increase 201%
2Melbourne379,400427,100 458,100 544,900 558,000 134,400 270,000 724,000Increase 168%
3Auckland8,02610,228 13,728 14,303 13,084 0 512 7,902Increase 1,443%
Total 859,626 950,928 1,030,328 1,188,003 1,236,084 290,300 497,512 1,415,902 Increase 184%

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Air Fraser IslandCharter: K'gari (Fraser Island)[25]
Air New Zealand Auckland[26][27][28]
Alliance AirlinesEmerald[29]
Charter: Brisbane
Bonza[30]Albury, Avalon, Cairns, Darwin,[31] Mackay, Melbourne,[32] Mildura, Newcastle, Proserpine, Rockhampton, Townsville
JetstarAdelaide,[33] Melbourne, Sydney
QantasMelbourne, Sydney
QantasLinkCanberra,[34] Sydney[35]
Seasonal: Melbourne[36]
Virgin Australia Melbourne, Sydney
Seasonal: Adelaide

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.[37]

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

References

  1. ↑ YBSU – Sunshine Coast (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 2023-11-30
  2. 1 2 3 "Airport Traffic Data 1985-86 to 2021-22". Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics (BITRE). 7 December 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Movements at Australian Airports" (PDF). Airservices Australia. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "Airport History". Sunshine Coast Airport. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011.
  5. ↑ "Maroochydore name change" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  6. 1 2 "About Sunshine Coast Airports" (PDF). Sunshine Coast Regional Council. January 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "NZ flights to start at $149". Sunshine Coast Daily. 23 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Air New Zealand flights returning in 2013" (PDF). Sunshine Coast Regional Council. November 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2013.
  9. ↑ Auckland – Sunshine Coast Direct Flights Archived 26 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Sunshine Cost Council
  10. ↑ "Huge flight boost for southeast Queensland". 12 October 2016. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Sunshine Coast will lease Maroochydore airport for 99 years, council to be paid $605m" Archived 9 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine by Tony Moore, Brisbane Times, 9 February 2017
  12. ↑ "Breaking: John Holland ground to build Sunshine Coast Airport expansion". 28 February 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "About the project". Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  14. ↑ "Aerodrome Chart (YBSU)" (PDF). Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  15. 1 2 Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion project, Coordinator-General’s evaluation report on the environmental impact statement May 2016 Accessed: 21 September 2020
  16. ↑ Master Plan Archived 8 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine Sunshine Coast Airport September 2007
  17. ↑ Region set to soar as runway turns Council’s vision into reality Sunshine Coast Council 12 June 2020
  18. ↑ "New kiwi flights to generate $11 million for the Sunshine Coast". Queensland Government. October 2019.
  19. ↑ "Queensland gets year-round flights with Air New Zealand to Gold Coast, Cairns, Sunshine Coast". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  20. ↑ "Bonza Announces New Destinations". Bay939Radio. Bay939. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  21. ↑ "Sunshine Coast Airport Guide". Sleeping in Airports. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  22. ↑ "Airport Traffic Data 1985 to 2022". Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  23. ↑ Domestic aviation activity Annual 2014–15 Archived 29 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Infrastructure & Regional Development
  24. ↑ Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities. "Domestic aviation activity 2017–18" (PDF). Australian Domestic Aviation Activity Annual Publications. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  25. ↑ "Fraser Island Flights - Fly in and Land on Fraser Island". 22 June 2022.
  26. ↑ "Air NZ's alliance with Virgin Australia to Sunshine Coast – Scoop News". Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "Queensland gets year-round flights with Air New Zealand to Gold Coast, Cairns, Sunshine Coast". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  28. ↑ "Back To Business: Air New Zealand Reboots Its Trans-Tasman Network". Simple Flying. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  29. ↑ "Alliance launches four new roures". Australian Aviation. 23 February 2021.
  30. ↑ "Bonza Outlines Operational Network in 1H23". Aeroroutes. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  31. ↑ "Bonza announces new leisure playground for Coast travellers". Sunshine Coast News. 20 September 2023.
  32. ↑ Michael Doran 2023 (24 February 2023). "Bonza Sets Up Base At Melbourne Airport And Launches 3 More Routes". Simple Flying.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ↑ Moore, Tony (14 May 2016). "Adelaide latest stop for Australia's fastest-growing airport". Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  34. ↑ "Qantas adds three new routes from Canberra". Qantas. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  35. ↑ "Smarter flying sees Qantas back to the Sunshine Coast". Qantas. 22 July 2015. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  36. ↑ "Flying Kangaroo hops to Sunshine Coast". Qantas. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  37. ↑ "Route 622 timetable". Translink.

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