Sunshine Coast Airport received its first international service on July 1, with an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland touching down at the airport.
“We now have a new message to send to the nation and the world: that we are open for international business,” Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said.
“Sunshine Coast Airport, its wellbeing and its expansion are a cornerstone project for this region as we strive to secure its economic sustainability. Today’s inaugural flight spells a game-changer in terms of our tourism, our trading and our self-confidence as a region.”
Air New Zealand now flies twice a week to the Sunshine Coast, with Virgin Australia codesharing on the service.
The Sunshine Coast has in the past received some charter services from New Zealand, but this marks the first scheduled international services. To support the new flights, it has constructed an international terminal to meet Customs and quarantine requirements, which opened on July 27.
“We are now ready to attract further business from both domestic and international destinations, we have just completed a new helipad and the next few years will see us add a new aerospace industry precinct in time for the proposed new runway due later this decade,” said Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager Peter Pallot.
