Our History | Queensland Airports Limited

Our History

Since QAL acquired Gold Coast Airport in 1998, we have achieved several significant milestones.

Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd acquired 99-year airport lease from the Federal Government on 28 May 1998

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) is formed as part of corporate restructure of the shareholding of Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd, assuming 100% ownership of Gold Coast Airport

QAL acquired 100% ownership of both Townsville Airport Pty Limited and Mount Isa Airport Pty Limited on 15 March 2005

QAL launched Australia’s newest aviation business park, the Northern Australian Aerospace Centre of Excellence (NAACEX)
QAL completed a runway extension at Gold Coast Airport, taking the runway to 2500m and opening the airport to wide-bodied aircraft. AirAsia X was the first low cost long-haul airline to begin direct international services, commencing direct services to Kuala Lumpur
Gold Coast Airport named Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation – Low Cost Airport of the Year

QAL assisted the purchasing consortium of Cairns and Mackay Airports (North Queensland Airports Pty Ltd) during the sale process from the Queensland Government; the North Queensland Airports consortium appointed QAL to provide special airport services through a technical services agreement for 12 months

QAL celebrated the opening of the new $100 million passenger terminal redevelopment at Gold Coast Airport
Gold Coast Airport named Australia’s Major Airport of the Year at the Australian Airports Association (AAA) Aviation Excellence Awards
Gold Coast Airport awarded Major Airport of the Year by the Australian Airports Association
QAL welcomed 6.9 million passengers through its four airports in FY10

Gold Coast Airport named Best Regional Airport (Asia/Pacific) by Skytrax World Airport Awards
Gold Coast Airport awarded Staff Service Excellence (Asia/Pacific) by Skytrax World Airport Awards
GCA welcomed its first canine team member, Joe, to assist in bird mitigation at airport
Gold Coast and Townsville airports established Community Aviation Consultation Groups (CACGs)
QAL welcomed 7.3 million passengers through its four airports in FY11

Gold Coast Airport welcomed the arrival of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to land at the airport
QAL’s inaugural Chairman, Jim Tolhurst, stepped down after 15 years in the role
QAL welcomed 7.7 million passengers through its four airports in FY13

QAL awarded Airports Council International Asia-Pacific gold award for Human Resources Excellence
QAL appointed Annabelle Chaplain as Chairman

Gold Coast Airport won Best Regional Airport Australia/Pacific at the Skytrax World Airport Awards
QAL’s inaugural Managing Director, Dennis Chant stepped down after 16 years in the role
QAL appointed Chris Mills as CEO and Marion Charlton as Gold Coast Airport COO

Federal Government approved Major Development Plan for Project LIFT (Let’s Invest for Tomorrow) terminal redevelopment at GCA
QAL launched annual Community Benefit Fund
Instrument Landing System (ILS) Major Development Plan approved by the Federal Government
QAL purchased Border Park raceway and Wollemi sites, near Gold Coast Airport, for future development
Gold Coast Airport opened a three-storey commercial building, Ivy Pearce, in the airport precinct
Solar installation project completed at Longreach Airport, involving installation of 396 solar panels on the roof of terminal building
Wildlife proof fencing around Longreach Airport perimeter completed
QAL welcomed 8 million passengers through its four airports in FY16

Gold Coast Airport achieved Level 1 accreditation under the Airports Council International’s (ACI) airport carbon accreditation program
Gold Coast Airport named Best Regional Airport Australia/Pacific at Skytrax World Airport Awards
Gold Coast Airport signed on as an official partner for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
Gold Coast Airport received approval from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to proceed with the Instrument Landing System (ILS) installation, after an appeal of the government’s approval was lodged by protest groups in 2016
Gold Coast Airport Master Plan received Federal Government approval
$3.5 million car park upgrade completed in Mount Isa, including installation of 820 solar panels
QAL welcomed 8.2 million passengers through its four airports in FY17
Townsville Airport achieved Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International Airport Carbon Accreditation program

Gold Coast and Townsville airports welcomed athletes, officials, VIPs and spectators for the 2018 Commonwealth Games
$86 million airside upgrade at Gold Coast Airport completed, involving construction of new apron and taxiway
Longreach and Mount Isa airports achieved Level 1 accreditation under the Airports Council International’s (ACI) airport carbon accreditation program
Gold Coast Airport received Federal Government approval for hotel Major Development Plan
Goldie, the official mascot for Gold Coast Airport was launched
Gary and Tink the therapy dogs joined the Gold Coast and Townsville teams respectively, assisting passengers who need emotional support before flying
Gold Coast Airport won Australian Airports Association award for customer service
Mount Isa Airport achieved Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International Airport Carbon Accreditation program

Gold Coast Airport achieved Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program
Construction commenced on a $50 million Rydges-branded hotel at Gold Coast Airport, which is a milestone in the development and activation of the precinct
Gold Coast Airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) was switched on in February
Gold Coast Airport was voted Best Regional Airport in the Australia Pacific region for the fourth time at the Skytrax World Airport Awards
Construction commenced on Gold Coast Airport’s southern terminal expansion project
Longreach Airport achieved Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International Airport Carbon Accreditation program

Rydges Gold Coast Airport hotel was completed and opened to guests
The Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion topped out and construction reached the halfway point
Civil works were delivered for an Airside Processing Zone (APZ) at Gold Coast Airport
An overlay was completed on the southern 450 metres of the Gold Coast Airport runway and adjoining taxiways, and priority airside works were delivered
Meenan Street extension delivered at Townsville Airport, improving access to the airport precinct

Works commenced on Townsville Airport’s security upgrades
Internal fit out of Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion commenced
Aerobridges arrived for Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion after travelling 13,500km from China

Townsville Airport’s security upgrades completed
The Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion completed
International Terminal officially opened in ribbon-cutting ceremony with Senator Murray Watt
QAL marked 10 years of ownership of Longreach Airport
QAL appointed Amelia Evans as CEO
QAL appointed Ann Sherry AO as Chair of the Board

Gold Coast Airport voted Best Regional Airport for the fifth time and The Cleanest Airport in the Asia Pacific at the Skytrax World Airport Awards
Townsville Airport released Preliminary Draft 2023 Master Plan
QAL celebrated 20 years as an organisation
QAL marked 25 years of ownership of Gold Coast Airport