More news on this day
Sunshine Coast Airport has unveiled the largest commercial investment in its history, signing a wide-ranging retail, food and beverage partnership with LagardereAWPL that promises to transform the passenger experience and turbocharge regional tourism and jobs.
Landmark Deal Anchors $170 Million Terminal Expansion
The new agreement with LagardereAWPL sits at the heart of Sunshine Coast Airport’s ongoing terminal expansion program, part of a broader 170 million dollar upgrade designed to future proof the fast-growing Queensland gateway. The airport handled nearly 1.9 million passengers in the 2023–24 financial year, and management expects that figure to reach about 1.8 million in the 2026 financial year before climbing to 2.4 million by 2030 as capacity and connectivity increase.
Under the redevelopment, the terminal footprint is set to almost double, while the domestic departure lounge will increase threefold and departure gates will rise from five to seven. New self-service check in kiosks and automated bag drops will streamline processing, supported by recently introduced step free boarding ramps that improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, families and older travelers.
Airport chief executive Chris Mills said LagardereAWPL emerged as the clear front runner to lead the commercial transformation, describing the partnership as a pivotal piece of the airport’s growth story. He framed the deal as a way to deliver more choice for travelers while generating stronger non aeronautical revenues that can be recycled into further infrastructure and route development.
The investment also dovetails with the state approved Gateway Precinct master plan, which will open up about 30 hectares of land around the airport for a mix of hotel, commercial and tourism related development over the coming years. Together, the terminal expansion and commercial program are intended to cement Sunshine Coast Airport’s role as a primary gateway for one of Australia’s most popular coastal regions.
New Dining and Retail Lineup Aims to Give a “Taste of the Coast”
The partnership will see LagardereAWPL overhaul and expand the airport’s retail and hospitality mix, introducing a curated portfolio of outlets that blend global travel essentials with a stronger local identity. Concepts announced so far include Pavilion Kitchen and Bar for all day dining, Discover Sunshine Coast as a specialty outlet showcasing regional products, Relay for travel essentials, and Trader and Co as a casual arrivals cafe.
Central to the offer is a new all day dining hub that will champion Sunshine Coast produce, supported by a dedicated coffee house, a burger and beer venue and a self service dessert bar that will be a first for the airport. The intent is to encourage passengers to arrive earlier, dwell longer and engage more deeply with the terminal precinct rather than treating it as a purely transactional space.
LagardereAWPL, which operates more than 4,900 stores across 51 countries, will also bring its established Relay brand of news, books and convenience to the upgraded terminal. The group plans to weave destination themed merchandise, locally inspired gifts and regional flavors throughout the retail footprint, in line with global trends that see airports doubling as showcases for their surrounding communities.
Airport executives believe the refreshed lineup will not only capture additional spend from existing passengers but also align the airport more closely with the expectations of international visitors and domestic leisure travelers who are increasingly seeking authentic, place based experiences even in transit.
Boost for Local Producers, Jobs and the Visitor Economy
A core pillar of the deal is a commitment to put Sunshine Coast growers, makers and food brands at the forefront of the terminal’s new look commercial offer. Both the airport and LagardereAWPL have stressed that local producers will be heavily featured on menus, in retail shelving and in destination themed gifting ranges, ensuring visitors encounter the region’s food, beverage and artisanal products from the moment they arrive.
Airport chief executive Chris Mills framed the strategy as a way to back local businesses and keep more of the visitor economy circulating within the region. By integrating local products into high visibility concessions, the partnership is expected to generate new wholesale channels, marketing exposure and year round sales volumes for small and medium enterprises that might otherwise struggle to access global travel retail platforms.
The expanded commercial footprint is also set to support additional employment across hospitality, retail, logistics and airport operations. With new outlets opening in stages and peak passenger volumes rising, the airport anticipates a steady pipeline of roles ranging from kitchen and floor staff to baristas, store managers and back of house support positions.
Tourism leaders say the move strengthens the broader visitor proposition at a time when the Sunshine Coast is competing aggressively with other Australian beach destinations. A more compelling airport experience, they argue, helps set the tone for a trip, encourages repeat visitation and reinforces the region’s positioning as a high quality yet relaxed coastal escape.
Phased Rollout Through 2027 Targets Changing Traveler Expectations
The new venues will open progressively through to late 2027, tracking with construction milestones in the terminal expansion program. Early stages of the project have already been delivered, with further retail fit outs and lounge extensions to follow as passenger areas are brought online. This phased approach allows the airport to maintain operations while incrementally introducing new concepts and responding to customer feedback.
Industry analysts note that the timing aligns with shifting traveler expectations globally. Passengers now routinely seek healthier food options, high quality coffee, flexible dining hours and seamless digital payment experiences even at smaller regional airports. Sunshine Coast Airport’s deal with LagardereAWPL is designed to deliver that standard of offer, despite the airport’s more modest scale compared with major capital city hubs.
The redevelopment is also being framed as a long term play, with the commercial designs built around flexibility so that concepts can evolve as tastes and traffic patterns change. With new airline routes and international services being added over time, the partnership aims to ensure the airport’s retail and food mix can keep pace with a more diverse customer base.
For travelers, the most visible changes in the coming years will be larger, lighter terminal spaces, more seating and lounge capacity, additional gate areas and a far broader choice of places to eat, drink, shop or simply relax before boarding. For the Sunshine Coast region, the record breaking deal signals that its primary gateway is betting big on growth and on leveraging the airport as a powerful shopfront for its coastal lifestyle and local businesses.