Gold Coast airport busy, but not just because of GC2018

GOLD Coast Airport has seen visitor numbers boom the past 12 months — but that honeymoon could be over with visitor numbers expected to stall.

GOLD Coast Airport is celebrating record passenger numbers, but bosses are uncertain if the honeymoon will continue.

More than 6.6 million people passed through Coolangatta airport in the past financial year, up 1.7 per cent on the previous 12 months.

Auckland and Tokyo rated among the most common destinations for Gold Coasters heading overseas and, surprisingly, half of all passengers travelled alone.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills said the airport, the sixth busiest in Australia, reported growth throughout most of the 2017-18 financial year.

Gold Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills loading luggage during one of the busiest days ever for the airport. Picture Glenn Hampson

Despite hopes for the Commonwealth Games in April, January and March proved boons.

“We set records for the airport’s busiest day and month in January,” Mr Mills said.

Passenger numbers increased 5.1 per cent for a record March, buoyed by the Easter holidays, Byron Bay Bluesfest and early arrivals for the Commonwealth Games.

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“GC2018 was just one of the events that influenced our passenger numbers.

“We were unsure about what to expect from GC2018, but we planned extensively and the numbers in April were in line with expectations.”

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Overall passenger numbers for June dropped by two per cent on the same month last year due to reduced domestic airline capacity — a trend that may continue.

“Domestic airline capacity is somewhat constrained across Australia,” Mr Mills said.

“It is too early to predict with any certainty, and the numbers vary month to month, but the current view is that we may not see the same level of growth as previous years.”

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New data shows nearly two-thirds of passengers through the airport are visitors to the Coast. Kiwi passengers make up the largest international contingent.

The Gold Coast Airport is about to undergo a major transformation as part of stage two of Project LIFT

Most of the domestic visitors came from Sydney and Melbourne.

“The Gold Coast continues to be a desirable leisure destination for all of Australia,” Mr Mills said.

“The growth in the last year is more a factor of higher loads on existing routes, rather than any major new routes.”

Mr Mills said the airport had recently undertaken projects to improve efficiency, including an $86 million airside upgrade.

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“The next stage of Project LIFT will include a terminal expansion which, when combined with other developments in the precinct, including a Rydges hotel, will transform the precinct,” he said.

“We look forward to starting work on the second stage of Project LIFT later this year.”

Gold Coast Airport is owned and operated by Queensland Airports Limited, which also operates Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.