A CONTROVERSIAL new aircraft landing system and flight path proposed for Gold Coast Airport has been dealt what could be a fatal blow, with Qantas and Jetstar shooting down the plan.

Airport bosses want the $10 million instrument landing system (ILS) to allow planes to land in bad weather and avoid diversions to Brisbane, inconveniencing tourists and locals alike.

But the system would require a new flight path over the heavily populated northern Gold Coast, affecting thousands of residents.

Residents have rallied against the ILS, and the Gold Coast City Council last month voted against it in the face of growing public outcry.

Now the Qantas/Jetstar group has added its powerful voice to the chorus of opposition against the ILS.

Qantas Group head of safety and compliance Mark Cameron has written to Gold Coast Airport boss David Collins saying the national carrier does not support the proposal.

In the letter seen by The Sunday Mail, Mr Cameron says the cost of the system does not justify the benefits and better alternatives exist.

He warns that “in all likelihood, the technology will be superseded before its useful life has expired”.

Gold Coast-based Abbott government MP Steven Ciobo, who originally supported the ILS but is now a vocal critic, said Qantas’ lack of support was another nail in the coffin for what he described as a second-rate landing system based on 1970s technology.

“Thousands and thousands of Gold Coast residents do not support the ILS, the Gold Coast City Council does not support the ILS and now Australia’s major carrier does not support it,’’ he said.

Mr Ciobo said ILS backers had sought to portray it as a safety necessity.

“Yet here we have the head of safety of the world’s safest airline saying we do not need it,’’ he said.

Federal transport minister Warren Truss will make a decision on the ILS later this year after considering about 4000 submissions and feedback from Airservices Australia.

ILS supporters argue aircraft diversions cost the Gold Coast about $2.5 million a year and affect 8000 passengers. They say noise effects would be minimal.