Gold Coast Airport to remain open despite grounding of majority of Qantas fleet

An emergency business forum this morning has seen speculation about Gold Coast airport dismissed despite the unprecedented grounding of the majority of the Qantas fleet.

An emergency business forum has been held at the Evandale council chambers this morning in response to the rapidly COVID-19 situation.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan, speaking outside the meeting, absolutely ruled out any speculation that Gold Coast Airport would be closed after Qantas axed 60 per cent of its domestic services and 90 per cent of its international flights.

“It is no secret it is a changing feast and while we were (in the meeting) there was an announcement about Qantas,” he said.

Mark Moyle leaving Gold Coast Airport with a face mask after arriving back from Vietnam this morning. Picture: Scott Powick.

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“It changes minute by minute, day by day and we have to knuckle down and make sure we can look at opportunities to keep this great industries we’ve got – tourism and aviation.

“Mate, I’ve been around a long time and I have never seen anything like this.

“I was working for an airline on September 11 and when Ansett collapsed and SARS. This is far worse.

“We all understand what the advice is. We have to try and slow this thing down but we have to protect our families, our staff and our businesses.”

Among those attending the meeting were Mayor Tom Tate and former premier Rob Borbidge.