Sunshine Coast Airport's second major runway is on schedule to take its first traffic on 21 May this year.

The new runway 13/31 is designed to take A330 and B787 aircraft and enable A320s and B737s to operate without restrictions.

Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor and Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project (SCAEP) Project Control Group Chairman and Finance Portfolio Councillor Tim Dwyer said new runway was expected to open new opportunities for the local area

“We should all feel proud of this achievement and excited about the opportunities it will bring,” Dwyer said. “The new runway will provide the Sunshine Coast community with a new gateway domestically and globally.

“It should lead to greater choice in airlines, destinations and flight times and the potential to attract over 2,000,000 passengers annually."

Sunshine Coast records over 50,000 movements every year, with the majority fixed wing aircraft of less than 7000 kg MTOW and helicopters; however, Airservices Australia's records show a steady decline in movements over the past three years.

The airport is home to both fixed wing and helicopter training schools and takes regular public transport from Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas.