14 October 2025: Sunshine Coast Airport has introduced new ramps for boarding and disembarking aircraft, delivering step-free access for passengers and marking a major milestone in the airport’s commitment to inclusivity and customer experience.
Known as Aviramps, the solar-powered ramps will replace traditional stairs at the front door of planes. This provides step-free and more dignified access for passengers with reduced mobility, families with young children and elderly travellers, while also improving operational efficiency for airlines.
The new addition to the airport’s infrastructure comes as Sunshine Coast Airport commences its wider Terminal Redevelopment Project, which will almost double the terminal’s footprint, expand the domestic departure lounge threefold, and introduce new technology such as self check-in and automated bag drops. Together, these upgrades reflect the airport’s commitment to delivering a more inclusive, sustainable and passenger-focused experience from drop-off to take-off.
Sunshine Coast Airport Terminal and Security Operations Manager, Toby Flatley, said the new ramp technology reflects the airport’s focus on putting passengers first.
“The introduction of Aviramps makes travel easier, safer and more comfortable for everyone. Whether you’re a parent with young children, an older traveller or someone with mobility needs, this step-free access provides a more positive boarding and disembarking experience,” Flatley said.
This commitment to inclusion has been strongly supported by the Queensland Government, which has highlighted accessibility as central to the state’s growing tourism economy.
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell, said the initiative was aligned with the Crisafulli Government’s bold 20-year Destination2045 plan to make the state a global leader in tourism.
“Realising Queensland’s full potential means making it easier for people to get here and experience everything our State has to offer,” Minister Powell said.
“Sunshine Coast Airport’s leadership in introducing these new ramps demonstrates the important role airports play in connecting communities and driving inclusive growth across Queensland.”
For many travellers, the change marks a meaningful step towards greater inclusion. Dane Cross, an accessibility advocate who has worked closely with Sunshine Coast Airport on its disability, access and inclusion plan, said it was exciting to see one of their key recommendations come to life.
“For people living with a disability or challenged with mobility, step-free access removes a major barrier to flying. It improves safety, restores dignity and gives people greater independence when they travel. Sunshine Coast Airport should be commended for making accessibility a priority,” Cross said.
The rollout builds on Sunshine Coast Airport’s broader commitment to innovation and inclusion to improve accessibility and enhance the travel experience for all passengers.
About Sunshine Coast Airport
Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and one of Australia’s fastest growing airports. SCA directly connects the Sunshine Coast community to five domestic and international destinations (Adelaide, Auckland, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney) and is supported by five airlines (Air New Zealand, Alliance, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia). With more than 80 flights per week to Sydney and Melbourne, and convenient connections to Adelaide, Auckland and Cairns, SCA is the natural choice.
In July 2023, Sunshine Coast Airport was declared a Priority Development Area (PDA), with a new Development Scheme taking effect on Friday 27 September 2024. The Development Scheme will unlock opportunities that attract investment, drive economic growth and create jobs on and off airport. By 2040, it is estimated the airport will directly contribute $460m in total to Australia’s GDP. Jobs on airport are forecast to grow to 2,400 by 2040 and support a total of 3438 jobs (direct and indirect).
Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd operates and manages Sunshine Coast Airport, the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, under a 99-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council which commenced in December 2017.
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