Gold Coast Airport in new record month, expansion can’t come quick enough

RECORDS continue to fall at Gold Coast Airport as passenger growth rises. But is the airport ready for the Commonwealth Games influx?

BURSTING Gold Coast Airport continues to notch up record passenger growth with its busiest February ever.

Close to 481,000 people travelled through the airport last month — three per cent higher than the same time last year, latest numbers show.

It was a fifth consecutive month of passenger growth for the terminal which is literally bursting at the seams during peak times.

Last year, Queensland Airports Ltd CEO Chris Mills told the Gold Coast Bulletin it was “at or above capacity” at times.

Queensland Airports Ltd CEO Chris Mills Picture: Regina King.

Back on January 7 when it set a record day for passenger arrivals and departures with 24,585, he said: “Gold Coast Airport has been operating at or above capacity during peak periods for some time now, and that obviously puts a strain on our operations.”

Mr Mills yesterday said the growth was great for the city and the airport was “operationally prepared” for the anticipated Commonwealth Games influx.

“We’ve come off the back of our busiest day, month and year on record and we’re heading into the biggest event in the Gold Coast’s history.”

Gold Coast Airport admit it is at capacity at peak periods which “puts a strain on”

But the growth reinforced the need for the expansion works underway at the terminal, he said.

“A number of short-term initiatives have been undertaken to assist with our operational efficiency, prior to the commencement of building works. They include providing extra seating in the terminal, the introduction of self-check-in and bag-drop systems and the expansion of our volunteer program.

“Those initiatives are helping us to manage peak periods until the expansion takes place,” Mr Mills said.

Gold Coast Airport has started welcoming Commonwealth Games arrivals and says it is “operationally prepared” for the event arrivals and departures. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Our focus is on completing terminal expansion planning with input and support from the airlines as quickly as possible.”

Work had finished on the airside component of the upgrade, with the expansion of the apron and creation of an additional taxiway, he said.

The new taxiway would allow faster turnarounds for aircraft, and the expanded apron would support up to four additional aircraft, he added.

The airport welcomed 6.5 million passengers in 2017, a number set to skyrocket to 16 million in 2037.