Flying again: Gold Coast airport gets funding to boost services

Gold Coast Airport is in line for more flights after the announcement of a $5 million regional airports package.

THE Gold Coast Airport can secure more intrastate flights with the State Government to announced a $5 million regional airport package.

Assistant Tourism Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the Coolangatta terminal would be able to access the funding package

An empty Gold Coast Airport. Picture: Scott Powick.

The $5 million in funding is for the State’s regional airports to help secure more flights within Queensland during the COVID-19 restrictions.

The outcomes from the package remain commercial-in-confidence but The Bulletin understands the larger airports like the Gold Coast will secure more money.

Meaghan Scanlon at State Parliament. Picture: Annette Dew.

“We’re doing everything we can to fast-track the Gold Coast’s economic recovery and create jobs for locals,” Ms Scanlon told The Bulletin.

“We’ve invested more in flights than any government in Queensland’s history because we

understand that flights mean jobs for locals.

“Today’s announcement gives (Queensland Airports CEO) Chris Mills and the team at Gold Coast Airport the funding they need to secure more flights to our region.

“The flow-on benefits for our community could be massive — providing a real boost for local businesses at a time they need it most.”

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the announcement could support between 1500 and 1600 jobs per year over a three-year period, with each flight tipped to generate up to 50 jobs along the supply chain.

Gold Coast Airport parking during late March.

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“We know that tourism operators right across the state are hurting due to COVID-19,” she said.

“This funding will allow thousands more Queenslanders to explore their own state and could pump millions of dollars into communities like the Gold Coast that rely on tourism.”

Mr Mills last month urged the Government to give a border reopening date, revealing passenger traffic had dropped by 99 per cent.

Fewer than 2000 passengers passed through the airport in April, compared to 560,000 for the same period last year.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan also called on the Government to “give us a date” on reopening borders to give much needed certainty to the tourism industry and the airport.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said border restrictions might end as soon as the end of this month