FEDERAL MINISTER OFFICIALLY OPENS GOLD COAST AIRPORT’S $100 MILLION PASSENGER TERMINAL

More than 300 guests including Queensland Deputy Premier Paul Lucas MP, Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor MP, NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay MP, Queensland State Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek MP, Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke MBE, Tweed Mayor Warren Polglase, government officials, airline executives, business, tourism and community leaders attended the lunch time function, held within the new facility.

Managing Director of Queensland Airports Limited, Dennis Chant said they were very proud of the completed redevelopment, which is a huge shot in the arm for tourism to the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales.

"This is the largest single investment in tourism infrastructure by Gold Coast Airport since we first secured the lease over the airport from the Federal Government in 1998.

"This opening is the culmination of seven years of planning and construction and is a significant vote of confidence by the Board, shareholders and management of Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd in the attractiveness of the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers regions to domestic and international visitors.

"Our terminal is the first purpose-built facility specifically designed to cater for low cost airlines and their passengers," he said.

"The early delivery of this complex project can be attributed to the highly professional team approach of a large number of key players including Gold Coast Airport staff, ADCO constructions and their associated consulting and contracting teams and our on-airport stakeholders and agencies.

"This has by no means been an easy process, to maintain a fully-operational terminal while the works were being carried out has been a huge task but the end result is well worth it."

Mr Chant said the redevelopment was timely with the continual increases in passenger movements over the last year testament to the need for new facilities.

"The former terminal was built in 1981, at the time welcoming around 300,000 passengers annually. In 2009, during construction, Gold Coast Airport welcomed almost five million passengers.

"The terminal has undergone several upgrades since 1981 but our growth over recent years necessitated the need for this significant expansion," Mr Chant said.

 "This significant infrastructure investment by Gold Coast Airport highlights the success of the government's airport privatisation policy," Mr Chant said.

"This project would never have eventuated without the support and encouragement of our communities, our customers, our industry partners, our shareholders and financiers, government representatives, our consultants and last, but not least, our staff."

Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer, Paul Donovan, reiterated the importance this new development has for the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales regions.

"As Australia's premier tourist destination, the new-look Gold Coast Airport is an extension of that holiday experience, whether it is at the beginning or the end of your holiday.

"We also cater to the ever-increasing number of business travelers using Gold Coast Airport to connect to domestic and international destinations.

"We are confident that we have given Gold Coasters a terminal that they can be proud of and wish to thank all our passengers for their patience during the construction process."

Mr Donovan also said the feedback from passengers who have travelled through the airport in recent months has been extremely positive.

"We look forward to welcoming the community to enjoy their new Gold Coast Airport," Mr Donovan said.

Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd is wholly owned and operated by Queensland Airports Limited.

ENDS

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