The next stage of Sunshine Coast Airport’s major redevelopment is beginning to take shape.
Construction of the airport’s new arrivals precinct and baggage claim area is nearing completion as part of the $170 million terminal redevelopment project, with the structures now clearly visible following recent building works.
Sunshine Coast Airport chief executive officer Chris Mills said major progress had been made on the project, including the completion of the concrete slab and structural framing for the baggage claim facility and a new landside cafe.
“We’ve successfully poured the slab and assembled the framing for both the baggage claim and the new landside cafe, Trader and Co, which will form part of the arrivals precinct,” Mr Mills said.
“The project is being delivered in partnership with McNab and it’s exciting to see the scale and shape of the buildings come to life.”
Mr Mills said exterior cladding and internal fit-outs would be the next phase of construction.
The arrivals precinct and baggage claim are expected to be completed later this year, with work on new boarding gates and expanded retail, food and beverage areas set to begin soon.
Mr Mills said the redevelopment would significantly increase capacity and improve the experience for travellers using the airport.
“This is a defining moment in the airport’s history and will transform the terminal and enhance passenger experience, increase the space and capacity for travellers arriving and checking in and support the future growth of the airport,” he said.
Construction company McNab began work on the arrivals precinct and baggage claim in December 2025.
McNab chief executive officer Kunjan Ganatra said the project had reached a significant stage.
“Construction of the arrivals precinct and baggage claim began in December 2025 and has reached a pivotal stage. We can now see how the space will feel once complete, which is on track for later this year,” Mr Ganatra said.
He said the project had involved close coordination between the airport, airline partners and other stakeholders.
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The arrivals precinct forms part of a broader redevelopment program already underway at the airport, including the completion of a new outbound baggage facility earlier this year.
More than 2,500 construction workers are expected to contribute to the terminal redevelopment, which is scheduled for full completion in 2027.
The project will almost double the terminal’s footprint from 6,100 square metres to 11,750 square metres, while increasing departure gates from five to seven and tripling the size of the domestic departure lounge.
Sunshine Coast Airport expects passenger numbers to exceed 1.8 million in the 2025-26 financial year, rising to about 2.4 million annually by 2030.
