Runway broadens the horizon

For some Sunshine Coast residents the opening of a new runway at the airport has allowed for more noise overhead.

After more than 11 weeks since closing its terminal and farewelling its last passenger jet, Sunshine Coast Airport welcomed the arrival of the first flight on its new runway. Photo: Warren Lynam

FOR some Sunshine Coast residents, the opening of a new runway at the airport has allowed for more noise overhead.

For thousands of others who have had flight paths moved away from their homes, the noise has disappeared.

And for local producers and tourism operators, horizons have been broadened.

Whether you like the expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport or not, the new runway spells massive change for the region.

As a journalist, I like to think I’m impartial but I’d be lying if I said the buzz at the airport on Sunday morning didn’t get me excited for the future.

After the devastating blows our local economy has taken amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew Brodie’s optimism for the future was received well among those in attendance.

Adding to the atmosphere was a crowd of residents who had gathered along the fence to get a glimpse of the Fokker 100 – the first plane to touch down on the runway.

Photographer Warren Lynam, property editor Erle Levey and myself were all standing on the tarmac as the plane landed with a roar.

And we could still hear the crowd cheering.

It was nice to see an enthused group of aviation fanatics show up on a rather windy morning.

I just wish I had remembered to pack a hair tie.

If you thought you saw Cousin Itt in the background of last night’s television bulletins, don’t be alarmed.

It was me.

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