Airport Runway Nears Completion

Sunshine Coast Airport’s new runway is nearing completion with lighting installed and line marking about to start.

Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project Director Ross Ullman said more than a metre of rain had fallen on the construction site between January and mid-March this year, including a significant weather event in February that delayed asphalt placement at a critical time in the project. The asphalt placement is now complete.

“While the runway construction work will be completed by 21 May 2020, the wet weather delay has put back the ability to undertake technical assessments and complete quality documentation required to open the runway on that date,” Mr Ullman said.

“Mandatory contractual documentation and certification required to ensure its safe operation will now occur post that date and prior to handover to the Sunshine Coast Airport. 

“As a result, the new runway will now be operational on 14 June 2020, subject to weather and COVID-19 not disrupting the program.

“Any such disruptions to the program may mean the June 14 date will not be able to be met and programming will have to be reviewed.

“The existing runway will remain active and in use until the new runway is operational.

“This will allow the current charter flight and general aviation activities to continue on the existing runway until that time.

“Airservices Australia will continue to use the current flight paths to the existing runway, and these will remain in operation until the new runway is open.”

Mr Ullman said council recognised that what was occurring in Australia and across the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted Airport operations in recent weeks.

“The Sunshine Coast Airport will play a critical role in the recovery of our region post the COVID-19 pandemic and Council is committed to handing over the new runway as soon as possible to support the Airport’s return to normal operations,” he said.