Aviation and aerospace
Where smart businesses are taking off
The Sunshine Coast provides exciting and diverse opportunities in the Australasian aviation and aerospace market and is already home to a thriving aviation industry.
The region has two key aviation and aerospace precincts providing a unique competitive advantage of complementary investment opportunities.
Why the Sunshine Coast?
Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) welcomes almost 1.3 million passengers annually, with direct flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland.
The expansion project has opened the Sunshine Coast up to the world, unlocking more tourism opportunities and new international trade prospects. It is a springboard for businesses to export their products and services to markets faster and more efficiently.
The additional runway has also enabled direct access to new markets in Asia, the Pacific and other locations in Australia, with direct flights to and from the Sunshine Coast.
Demand for aviation and aerospace leaders
- Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) is one of Australia’s leading regional airports and a focal point for passenger traffic and medium to larger scale businesses
- SCA provides prime airside and landside sites for aviation-related businesses as well as world class facilities and best practice infrastructure solutions
- Substantial opportunities exist at SCA to develop domestic and international flight services as well as aviation and aerospace industries
- Caloundra Aerodrome accommodates a diverse range of highly rated businesses, catering for the needs of light aircraft operations on the Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Airport
Sunshine Coast Airport Master Plan provides prime airside and landside development opportunities for smart and innovative aviation businesses and related facilities.
The airport’s international runway has elevated the facility to a world-class, fully-serviced aviation precinct.
The expanded airport is providing more ways for businesses to thrive, such as:
- Increased domestic and international routes
- Prime airside and landside development opportunities
- New freight facilities for Sunshine Coast agribusinesses and producers
Airport Food Hub
The Sunshine Coast Airport is slated as the home of Australia’s first purpose built, end-to-end food and beverage manufacturing hub - the Turbine Precinct.
Flying high
Bonza
Australia’s newest airline, Bonza is now operational from its Sunshine Coast HQ. Bonza’s first flight took to the skies in January 2023; the first in their gradual introduction of 16 flight destinations and 22 routes.
It is estimated that Bonza’s presence on the Sunshine Coast will generate $86 million in visitor expenditure during the first 12 months of flights and add an additional 386,000 airline seats directly into the Sunshine Coast.
Bonza will also increase the region’s domestic connectivity, taking it from the tenth to the second most connected airport in Queensland.
Opportunities
- Flexible airside sites are available for maintenance and repair organisations, hangarage or other aviation support industries
- Landside sites are available for aviation training and other aviation support industries
- Sites are now available for long-term lease, with flexibility in block size
- Airside and landside sites suitable for development opportunities
Caloundra Aerodrome
Caloundra Aerodrome is an important aviation facility for general aviation and a fast-growing Australian regional airport. Primarily catering for light aircraft operations, the aerodrome supports 40,000 aircraft and helicopter movements each year.
The aerodrome is a vital cog in south east Queensland’s general aviation network and is ideally placed to play an important role in the aviation industry’s development.
Star performer
HeliMods
World-leading Sunshine Coast aerospace company HeliMods uses cutting edge technology to customise helicopters for civil, defence, law enforcement and medical rescue clients.
The company is intending to invest $10.3 million to expand its Caloundra Aerodrome based operations.
The mooted expansion of the large-scale state-of-the-art aircraft manufacturing and modification facility will allow the business to accelerate its growth and strengthen its position as a major player in the aerospace and defence industries.
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