Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31

Sunshine Coast Council led the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project and has delivered the new runway (Runway 13/31). The new runway and associated flight paths became operational on 14 June 2020.
These flight paths will change the way aircraft operate as they arrive and depart from Sunshine Coast Airport.
For more information on flight paths and aircraft operations, view our Fact Sheets here. Following community feedback, we have included both the minimum and average heights for departures, as heights for departures can vary depending on aircraft type. Heights for arriving aircraft continue to be presented as minimum heights, as heights for arrivals are less varied.
We have provided FAQs here.
Where can I access more information?
For information on current aircraft movements and flight paths, historical runway utilisation or monthly complaint reports for the Sunshine Coast, visit the Airservices website here (external site).
For information on aircraft noise, visit the Aircraft Noise Information Tool on the Sunshine Coast Airport website here (external site).
For more information on the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project, visit the Sunshine Coast Council website here (external site).
Sunshine Coast Council led the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project and has delivered the new runway (Runway 13/31). The new runway and associated flight paths became operational on 14 June 2020.
These flight paths will change the way aircraft operate as they arrive and depart from Sunshine Coast Airport.
For more information on flight paths and aircraft operations, view our Fact Sheets here. Following community feedback, we have included both the minimum and average heights for departures, as heights for departures can vary depending on aircraft type. Heights for arriving aircraft continue to be presented as minimum heights, as heights for arrivals are less varied.
We have provided FAQs here.
Where can I access more information?
For information on current aircraft movements and flight paths, historical runway utilisation or monthly complaint reports for the Sunshine Coast, visit the Airservices website here (external site).
For information on aircraft noise, visit the Aircraft Noise Information Tool on the Sunshine Coast Airport website here (external site).
For more information on the Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project, visit the Sunshine Coast Council website here (external site).
-
PIR Terms of Reference Community Meeting - 19 September 2020
On 19 September 2020, we held the first of our community meetings for the Sunshine Coast Flight Path Post Implementation Review (PIR).
The meeting was held at the Maroochy RSL, between 1pm and 5pm, and had participants from community groups, local councils, elected representatives, and Sunshine Coast Airport. The Aircraft Noise Ombudsman observed the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Airservices draft Terms of Reference for the PIR.
We thank everyone who participated, either in person, or on WebEx (despite some technical issues).
Presentations and information from the meeting, including a video recording, will be available here.
-
Airservices presentation included:
- the draft PIR scope
- an overview of current Sunshine Coast operations
- Sunshine Coast Flight Path Design Considerations
- our process for considering community suggested alternatives for noise improvement.
Download the Draft Terms of Reference (ToR) presentation here.
Download the Sunshine Coast Flight Path Design Considerations here.
- Buddina Flight Path Group presented information on their proposed flight path change.
Download the presentation here.
- Flight Path Forum submitted questions during the meeting.
Download a copy of the Flight Path Forum questions here.
Download a copy of our responses to these questions here.
- Summary of Discussion
We have reviewed the feedback and discussions from the meeting, and a summary is provided here.
- Video recordings
Access video recordings of the presentations during the meeting here.
-
Links to relevant information discussed at the meeting include:
- Airservices Flight Path Design Principles - which provide a basis for designing and developing the flight paths that we will implement and operate
- Airservices Community Engagement Framework - which provides a rigorous process for delivery of community engagement activity for flight path and associated airspace changes
- International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum (external website)
- WebTrak which allows you to see where aircraft fly and explore historical trends and patterns
We are continuing to refine the draft Terms of Reference and these will be available for public comment. We will discuss the timing of the next steps with the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman and provide an update here.
We have recently developed a new Aircraft in Your Neighbourhood portal for Sunshine Coast Airport, where you can learn about flight paths and aircraft movements. You can enter your address or drop a pin to see learn about operations in your area.
-
Airservices presentation included:
-
Post Implementation Review (PIR) Community Meeting
Airservices Australia is pleased to announce the commencement of its Post Implementation Review (PIR) of the Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes.
On 19 September 2020 we will be holding a meeting with representatives of local community groups. This meeting will be an opportunity to learn more about the PIR process and discuss the draft PIR Terms of Reference.
Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures attendance numbers are limited.
To enable broader community participation we will video the meeting and will make it available here following the event.
If you are interested in participating in the meeting but are not a member of an invited community group, you can email an expression of interest to communityengagement@airservicesaustralia.com and we will add your name to our wait list. Places will be allocated following RSVPs from invited groups.
-
ANO Report Update
In May 2019, the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman (ANO) commenced an investigation into flight path changes at Sunshine Coast.
The ANO provided Airservices with the report on 30 April 2020, and Airservices has accepted the two recommendations.
The ANO released the report, and Airservices response, on the ANO website on 30 June 2020.
The Investigation into complaints about the introduction of new flight paths in Sunshine Coast (April 2020) and Airservices' response can be accessed here (external site).
Airservices thanks the ANO for providing this report and its recommendations.
-
ANO Report update
Airservices has received the ANO report into the Multiple Complaints investigation for Sunshine Coast.
In accordance with the ANO Charter, the Airservices Board will consider this report at its next scheduled meeting.
The ANO will release the report in the next two to three weeks.
We will also provide a link to the report here.
-
Sunshine Coast Airport Runway Update
The Sunshine Coast Council has advised that the Sunshine Coast Airport’s new runway (RWY 13/31), planned to commence operations on 21 May 2020, will now be operational on 14 June 2020, subject to weather and COVID-19 not disrupting the program.
Council has advised that any such disruptions to the program may mean the date of 14 June 2020 will not be able to be met and programming will have to be reviewed.
The existing runway (RWY 18/36) will remain active and in use until the new runway is operational. Aircraft, including medical and emergency, charter flights and general aviation, will continue to use the current flight paths to the existing runway until the new runway is open.
You can read more about the runway update on the Sunshine Coast Council News Centre website (external site).
-
CASA Checking of Approach and Departure Procedures - Tuesday 17 March 2020
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) will be checking the approach and departure procedures for the new runway on Tuesday 17 March. This is expected to occur in the morning.
Local residents may observe a twin-engine aircraft flying a low and uncommon flight pattern up to 35 kilometres from the airport. Further information on this can be found on the CASA website.
-
Airspace Change Proposal approved
On 30 July 2019 Airservices submitted an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) for consideration.
On 9 October 2019 CASA OAR approved the changes to airspace volumes to support operations to Sunshine Coast Airport’s new runway 13/31.
These changes will ensure the required flight paths and airspace are ready to support operations when the runway opens.
Yandina Quarry Operations
We are aware that some community members expressed concern regarding the potential aviation safety risk associated with operations at Yandina Quarry.
CASA OAR advised Airservices that they received an application for a Danger Area due to blasting at the Yandina Quarry on 26 August 2014.
They reviewed the application and identified that the height of the fly rock does not exceed ground level during regular blasting activities, therefore it does not pose a hazard to aviation.
CASA OAR determined the activities do not warrant the establishment of a Danger Area and did not impose conditions on either the air traffic management at Sunshine Coast Airport.
-
Release of Airservices TEIA Version 2
Airservices proposed final design for airspace and flight path changes at the Sunshine Coast was shaped by community feedback, and this design has been assessed for environmental impacts in Airservices Targeted Environmental Impact Assessment Version 2 (TEIA V2). The findings of TEIA V2 remain consistent with the findings of the approved EIS.
The TEIA V2 can be accessed under the Resources section. Please note due to the large file size we have split the TEIA V2 into several smaller documents for ease of downloading.
-
Further information for residents of Buddina and Point Cartwright
We have received a number of queries from communities south of the airport, including Buddina and Point Cartwright, that have been requesting the flight paths be amended to follow this procedure:
“At the earliest of 500 feet or departure end of runway turn left and track 100 degrees, at 8 DME SU intercept outbound track (track direct Moolo)”.
This procedure is not possible to implement according to international design standards:
- As some aircraft can still be only at 16 feet at the departure end of a runway, and a turn left at that stage would not provide minimum obstacle clearance and would be unsafe; and
- if an aircraft was at 500 feet and still above the runway, a turn left would expose a large area of residential communities to direct overflight.
Given the range of aircraft type and operations at Sunshine Coast Airport, that would result in a large splay of where aircraft might go, and would spread the impact of aircraft operations and noise over communities.Procedures require that aircraft can only turn after reaching 500 feet, or the departure end of the runway – whichever is the latter.The Airservices design for the Runway 13 departure is safe, compliant and correct, and minimises the effect of aircraft operations on the community.
- As some aircraft can still be only at 16 feet at the departure end of a runway, and a turn left at that stage would not provide minimum obstacle clearance and would be unsafe; and
-
Submission of Airspace Change Proposal
Airservices has submitted the Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) to support the Sunshine Coast’s Airport's new runway.
Proposed changes to the Australian airspace architecture are managed through the CASA airspace change process, and are legislated under the Airspace Regulations 2007.
CASA will review the Sunshine Coast ACP to ensure it includes airspace that is needed to contain flight paths in controlled airspace, that it meets International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices, and incorporates international best practice that benefit the Australian Airspace System, wherever practicable.
When assessing the ACP, CASA will use the following criteria:
- Safety
- Protection of the environment
- Efficient use of airspace
- Equitable access
- National security
- Current and future needs of the Australian aviation industry
- Advances in technology
(Source: https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/arasmm.pdf)
Airservices expects a decision from CASA regarding the submission later in 2019 and we will notify the community once we are advised.
We would like to thank the Sunshine Coast community for submitting queries on the Sunshine Coast Airspace and Flight Path Changes and Consideration and Feedback Report.
During the 10 day query period, we received a total of 2,400 visits to our Engage Airservices engagement platform. We also had 119 queries and complaints submitted and our documents were downloaded 1,670 times.
Follow Project
Timeline
-
14 June 2020
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageNew Runway Opening and Commencement of New Airspace and Flight Paths
-
1 February 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageFinal Terms of Reference released
-
31 May 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageFinal Community Engagement Plan released and Expressions of Interest for short-term noise monitoring locations opens
-
25 June 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageEOI for short-term noise monitoring locations closes
-
19 July 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageNoise Modelling Report released and NAPs review period commences
-
Mid-August 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageInstallation and commencement of noise monitoring
-
26 September 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageSubmission period for NAPs closes.
-
1 October 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageShort-term noise monitors at first three locations available on WebTrak:
- Yandina Creek
- Eumundi / Cooroy Mountain
- Mudjimba
-
11 October 2021
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageCommunity suggested alternatives period commences
-
January 2022
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageSubmission period for Community Suggested Alternatives closes.
-
From January 2022
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageAirservices evaluation of submissions
-
9 February 2023
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 has finished this stageDraft report released for public comment period
-
26 March 2023
Sunshine Coast Airport Airspace Changes Runway 13/31 is currently at this stagePublic comment period closed
Resources
-
PIR report
-
Sunshine Coast community workshop (15/10/2022) presentation (2.78 MB) (pdf)
-
PIR Terms of Reference and Community Engagement Plan
-
Noise modelling and Noise Abatement Procedures
-
Short-term Noise Monitoring
-
PIR Community Meeting Resources
-
Presentation - Sunshine Coast CIS - 18-11-2021 (3.91 MB) (pdf)