The placement of the runway's asphalt, delayed by heavy rain that fell between January and March is finally complete along with the installation of new lighting, with line marking the next task on the agenda.
Ross Ullman, the Sunshine Coast Airport's Expansion Project Director, said the construction work is scheduled for completion by May 21 but the inclement weather had delayed the required quality documentation and technical assessments needed to be carried out prior to opening and, he added:
“As a result, the new runway will now be operational on June 14, 2020, subject to weather and COVID-19 not disrupting the programme."
In the meantime, the existing runway will continue to operate which will allow activities such as general aviation and charter flights to carry on uninterrupted. The flight paths currently in use by Airservices Australia will also remain until the newly constructed runway is fully operational.
Featured many times in brochure printing that promotes local tourism, the original Sunshine Coast Airport runway dates back to 1961.
The latest upgrade will provide opportunities for direct flights to an increased number of destinations across the country as well as the Western Pacific and Asia. It is also expected to help boost tourism and economic growth in the region.