Passengers can now check in and drop their own bags using a bank of new automated equipment as another section of a $170 million airport redevelopment opens.
Sunshine Coast Airport’s new check-in hall features 18 self-service kiosks, 10 automated bag-drop units and a dedicated oversized baggage facility.
The equipment, supplied by Elenium Automation, can be used by passengers regardless of which airline they are flying with.
Airport CEO Chris Mills said the opening was another step in the wider terminal transformation.
“The new check-in hall features self-service technology, enabling passengers to complete key steps of the check-in process, including printing baggage tags and placing luggage onto the automated bag drop system,” he said.
“With the new technology, the check-in and bag drop process is faster than ever, helping passengers move through the airport more easily.
“We want every part of the passenger journey at Sunshine Coast Airport to be streamlined, and technology has an important role to play in achieving that.”
The check-in hall follows the opening of the airport’s expanded arrivals precinct and baggage claim on October 7.
That area is almost three times the size of the former arrivals and baggage claim space and includes a 92m carousel, almost double the length of the original.
The first completed stage of the wider redevelopment was the airport’s new outbound baggage facility, which opened in February.
Airport general manager of operations Kate McCreery-Carr said the new check-in system was intended to give passengers greater choice while retaining airline staff assistance.
“Passengers can take greater control of the check-in and bag drop process, while our airline teams can step in and provide assistance whenever it’s required. It’s about making the journey effortless and enjoyable for our passengers through greater choice,” she said.
Elenium Automation CEO Aaron Hornlimann said the company’s technology was designed to work across different airport and airline operations.
“Our technology is designed to be flexible and scalable, so it can support different airport environments, airline operations and passenger needs,” he said.
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The redevelopment will almost double the terminal footprint from 6100sqm to 11,750sqm and triple the domestic departure lounge from 1250sqm to 3750sqm.
Departure gates will also increase from five to seven.
The airport welcomed about 1.8 million passengers in the 2025-26 financial year and expects passenger numbers to reach about 2.4 million by 2030.
The full terminal expansion is due to be completed in 2027.
