Sunshine Coast Airport
Sunshine Coast Airport is a Queensland regional international airport operating under a 99-year council lease, serving 1.8 million passengers annually via five airline partners and generating revenue across aviation charges, parking, retail, advertising, and precinct leasing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMarcoola, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Sunshine Coast Airport does
Sunshine Coast Airport is a regional international airport located in Marcoola, Queensland, Australia, operated by Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd as trustee for the Sunshine Coast Airport Trust under a 99-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council that commenced in December 2017. The airport serves domestic routes (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns) and an expanding international network (Auckland, Bali, Singapore) through five airline partners, with Sydney-Melbourne accounting for 88% of airline seats and 80+ weekly flights. Passenger throughput reached a record 1.63 million in 2023 and is forecast at 1.8 million in FY26, growing to 2.4 million by 2030 on a 69% ten-year CAGR.
The core infrastructure is runway 13/31 (2,450m x 45m, opened June 2020), capable of handling A330 and B787 widebodies, supported by a $170 million terminal redevelopment under construction that will nearly double footprint to 11,750m² and increase gates from 5 to 7. The airport operates as a multi-revenue-stream infrastructure business: aviation charges (landing/passenger fees to airlines), parking (covered, short term, long term, value tiers), retail and F&B (LagardèreAWPL partnership), commercial and industrial leasing within the 460-hectare Priority Development Area, advertising via Bishopp, and ground transport fees via the UbiPark vehicle access platform. Strategic positioning emphasises carbon-neutral operations (Australia's first Level 3+ airport) and 2032 Olympics readiness, with a Gateway Precinct Master Plan approved in November 2025 to develop retail, commercial, industrial and hotel land parcels.
Sunshine Coast Airport firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sunshine Coast Airport
- Legal name
- Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd ACN 644 670 036 as trustee for Sunshine Coast Airport Trust
- Website
- https://sunshinecoastairport.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sunshine Coast Airport is a Queensland regional international airport operating under a 99-year council lease, serving 1.8 million passengers annually via five airline partners and generating revenue across aviation charges, parking, retail, advertising, and precinct leasing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sunshine Coast Airport industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Airport Operations
- NAICS
- Airport Operations (48811)
- SIC
- Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Airport Retail (Duty-Free & Specialty) (THABALAC)
Keywords
Where Sunshine Coast Airport is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marcoola
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Sunshine Coast Airport business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Aviation Charges: Landing fees, passenger charges, and aviation-related fees charged to airline operators for using airport facilities
- Parking Services: Short term, long term, covered parking options for passengers with online booking and drive-up rates. Includes EV charging bays
- Retail and Commercial Leasing: Terminal retail and F&B spaces leased to operators; commercial and industrial land parcels within Gateway Precinct leased to developers and businesses
- Advertising: High impact digital and static advertising throughout terminal and transport corridors managed via Bishopp partnership
- Ground Transport Fees: Fees charged to taxis, private transfer operators, bus/shuttle operators, and commercial vehicles for airport access via vehicle management system
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Short Term Parking - $19 for up to 24 hours when booked online |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Long Term Parking - Convenience at the right price with EV charging |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Covered Parking - Weather-protected parking close to terminal |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Park Value - Drive-up only parking |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sunshine Coast Airport product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sunshine Coast Airport operates Queensland's principal regional international airport, providing terminal and airfield infrastructure that supports scheduled passenger flights to seven direct destinations via five airline partners, multi-tier short- and long-term airport parking for travellers, and a growing portfolio of retail, food and beverage, advertising, and commercial property leasing services within the terminal and the planned Gateway Precinct mixed-use development. Revenue is generated through aviation charges, parking fees, concession and lease rentals, advertising, and commercial-vehicle access fees. The business is currently doubling its terminal footprint through a $170 million redevelopment and has Priority Development Area status enabling a multi-billion-dollar adjacent commercial and industrial precinct.
Product overview
Sunshine Coast Airport is Queensland's premier regional airport operating as a single unified airport infrastructure and services business. The core offering encompasses passenger flight services connecting to domestic and international destinations via five airlines, supported by runway 13/31 (SCAEP expansion project enabling wide-body aircraft). The airport is undergoing a major $170 million terminal redevelopment nearly doubling its footprint, with a parallel Gateway Precinct development offering retail, commercial, and industrial leasing opportunities. Ancillary services include airport parking (covered, short term, long term, and value options), vehicle access management (UbiPark system), general aviation facilities, airport advertising (via Bishopp), and sustainability initiatives (carbon neutral status, Simply Cups, Containers for Change). The airport was declared a Priority Development Area in July 2023, supporting comprehensive precinct development through 2040.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Airport Parking (Covered, Short Term, Long Term, Park Value) Four-tier paid parking product for travellers and visitors, sold per 24-hour period online or on drive-up, with dedicated EV charging bays in the Covered tier and a published online discount code (SCA20).
- Airport Advertising Concession-managed advertising inventory across the terminal, commercially represented by Bishopp, sold to brand advertisers seeking exposure to airport passengers.
- Vehicle Access Management for Commercial Ground Transport Credentialed commercial-vehicle access to the terminal precinct via a UbiPark licence-plate-recognition and QR-code access system, sold to licensed taxi, ride-share, shuttle and bus operators.
- General Aviation Facilities General aviation services for private, charter and flying-training operators using the airport's GA apron and facilities.
- Retail and Commercial Leasing (Terminal and Gateway Precinct) Leasing of retail, food and beverage and commercial floor space inside the existing and redeveloped terminal, and of land/buildings within the Gateway Precinct Priority Development Area, sold to retail, F&B and commercial tenants.
- Scheduled Passenger Flight Services Coordination Terminal handling, airfield and slot services provided to airline partners (including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines) operating scheduled passenger services to seven direct destinations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Passenger growth from 1.63 million (2023) to 1.8 million (FY26) to 2.4 million (2030)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Sunshine Coast Airport
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sunshine Coast Airport technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Sunshine Coast Airport partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LagardèreAWPLcoreRetail and food & beverage partnership - largest commercial investment in airport's history. Partnership will nearly double commercial space as part of terminal expansion with all new dining and retail outlets operational by late 2027. Aims to showcase local producers and growers, supporting regional businesses and jobs while enhancing passenger experience.
- McNabcoreConstruction company appointed as builder for $170 million terminal redevelopment project. McNab has been contributing landmark projects to shape the Sunshine Coast landscape since 2017. Approximately 2,000-2,500 workers on site with 90% of trades/subcontractors from the region.
- Populous | Fentress StudioscoreGlobal architecture firm engaged to design the new terminal, bringing world-class expertise to redefine the travel experience. Design reflects Sunshine Coast's natural beauty with natural light, sweeping runway views, and sustainable features.
- Planned PerformancecoreProject managers for terminal redevelopment with proven expertise in Australian airport terminal expansions, guiding the project to completion.
- Containers for ChangeminorContainer refund scheme partnership implementing bins throughout terminal. 10-cent refund per container donated to local charities and community groups. First round of funds supporting Coolum and North Shore Coast Care. 15 bins positioned at check-in, departures, and arrivals.
- CBREcoreLeading real estate and commercial advisory firm managing expression of interest campaigns for Gateway Precinct retail, commercial, and industrial land parcels. CBRE's Director for Sunshine Coast Matt Marenko handling the offering.
- BishoppcoreAustralia's leading regional out-of-home advertising company managing high impact digital and static advertising at Sunshine Coast Airport. Opportunities include formats inside terminal and around transport corridors, bespoke brand activations, and 3D advertising.
- Simply CupsminorAustralia's first and largest paper cup recycling program. Partnership to increase diversion of waste from landfill. Cup collection bins throughout terminal accepting coffee cups, take-away cups, ice cream cups, and compostable cups.
- UbiParkcoreVehicle access management system provider implementing digital platform for commercial vehicle access including QR code access, Licence Plate Recognition (LPR), and digital wallet payments for taxis, private transfers, buses, and tenant parking.
- Sunshine Coast CouncilcoreFree Wi-Fi provider in partnership with Telstra and Entag. Airport operates under 99-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council commenced December 2017. Council is key stakeholder in airport development and PDA process.
- SwissportcoreGround handling services provider for aircraft marshalling, passenger movement, and baggage handling. Primary FBO contact for larger GA aircraft using main apron.
- Flight OptionscoreFBO and ground handling services provider available 24 hours. Provides aircraft marshalling and ground services for operators using the airport.
- Machjet InternationalcoreFBO and ground handling services provider available 24 hours. Provides aircraft marshalling and ground services for operators using the airport.
- Viva Energy AustraliacoreAviation fuel services provider offering AVGAS and Jet A1 fuel. Available during office hours and after hours through on-call service.
- Air New ZealandcoreSeasonal airline partner operating since 2013 (13th year). Service connecting Sunshine Coast to Auckland and onward international destinations. Flights from early June to October 2026 with increased capacity of 2,890+ additional seats.
- Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Alliance AirlinescoreFive airline partners serving domestic routes to Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and international routes to Auckland, Bali, Singapore. Core markets of Sydney and Melbourne account for 88% of all airline seats with 80+ flights per week.
- LifeFlightcoreHelicopter emergency services operator expanding into Aerospace Precinct as part of airport's expansion of general aviation facilities.
- Oceanview HelicopterscoreHelicopter services operator expanding into Aerospace Precinct as part of airport's expansion of general aviation facilities.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sunshine Coast Airport competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Christchurch Airport: New Zealand South Island regional gateway of comparable scale (~7M passengers), Council-owned via CIAL, sharing strong sustainability positioning and tourism-leveraged traffic mix similar to Sunshine Coast. Comparable on council ownership, carbon goals, and precinct development strategy.
- Cairns Airport: Queensland regional international gateway of similar size (~5M passengers) serving a leisure-dominated catchment with strong Bali/Singapore connectivity. Operates on a long-term lease (North Queensland Airports) with comparable aeronautical + commercial real estate monetisation model.
- Newcastle Airport: Mid-tier Australian regional airport on the NSW east coast serving an analogous leisure/business mix, currently undergoing terminal expansion to grow from ~1.2M passengers. Strong comparable for scale, route economics, and LCC partnership model (e.g., Beryl/Link Airways).
- Townsville Airport: North Queensland regional airport of smaller scale (~1.5M passengers), also operated under long-term lease by Queensland Airports Limited. Direct comparator for tropical regional airport economics, defence/GA traffic mix, and tourism-linked capacity planning.
- Gold Coast Airport: Closest Australian regional competitor serving a similar leisure/tourism catchment with comparable passenger volume (~6M passengers pre-COVID) and similar LCC/full-service airline mix. Both gateways compete for Queensland tourism traffic and operate with comparable terminal expansion strategies, making it the most directly comparable peer.
- Darwin International Airport: Northern Territory international gateway operated under a long-term lease with Bali/Singapore international connectivity analogous to Sunshine Coast. Comparable on lean passenger base, defense/general aviation tenants, and reliance on seasonal inbound tourism.
- Hobart Airport: Australian state-capital regional airport of similar scale (~3M passengers) operating under a long-term lease (TasPorts/forward council agreement). Faces comparable tourism seasonality and competes for direct mainland trunk routes with Sunshine Coast.
Broad incumbents
- Adelaide Airport: Larger publicly-listed (ASX:AAL) Australian regional/state-capital airport operated by a private infrastructure manager. Provides terminal expansion, sustainability, and real-estate monetisation benchmarks at a larger scale, with comparable 88% domestic/international mix optimisation.
- Auckland Airport: Australia/NZ trans-Tasman partner and larger publicly-listed (NZX:AIA) airport. Shares Sunshine Coast's international gateway ambitions (Auckland route is seasonal partner Air NZ), and provides a benchmark for non-aeronautical commercial real-estate monetisation at scale.
Regional players
- Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali): Bali's primary international gateway, served by Air New Zealand from Sunshine Coast. Comparable leisure-tourism catchment and runway/upgrades profile, but operates at much larger international volumes, making it a scale-up benchmark rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sunshine Coast Airport social profiles
Digital presenceSunshine Coast Airport compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Sunshine Coast Airport financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sunshine Coast Airport leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Sunshine Coast Airport funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sunshine Coast Airport M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sunshine Coast Airport
What does Sunshine Coast Airport do?
Sunshine Coast Airport operates Queensland's principal regional international airport, providing terminal and airfield infrastructure that supports scheduled passenger flights to seven direct destinations via five airline partners, multi-tier short- and long-term airport parking for travellers, and a growing portfolio of retail, food and beverage, advertising, and commercial property leasing services within the terminal and the planned Gateway Precinct mixed-use development. Revenue is generated through aviation charges, parking fees, concession and lease rentals, advertising, and commercial-vehicle access fees. The business is currently doubling its terminal footprint through a $170 million redevelopment and has Priority Development Area status enabling a multi-billion-dollar adjacent commercial and industrial precinct.
Is Sunshine Coast Airport a public or private company?
Sunshine Coast Airport is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Sunshine Coast Airport founded?
Sunshine Coast Airport was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sunshine Coast Airport based?
Sunshine Coast Airport is headquartered in Marcoola, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Sunshine Coast Airport make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Aviation Charges are the primary driver. The others are parking Services, retail and Commercial Leasing, advertising and ground Transport Fees.
Who are Sunshine Coast Airport's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Christchurch Airport, Cairns Airport, Newcastle Airport, Townsville Airport, Gold Coast Airport, Darwin International Airport and Hobart Airport. Broad incumbents are Adelaide Airport and Auckland Airport. Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali) is listed as a regional player.
Does Sunshine Coast Airport have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sunshine Coast Airport.
What industry is Sunshine Coast Airport in?
Sunshine Coast Airport's product category is Regional Airport Operations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIALAE, Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access), with a secondary code of THABALAC, Airport Retail (Duty-Free & Specialty). Its NAICS code is 48811 and its SIC code is 4581.