In addition, Air New Zealand provides a seasonal international service running between July and October, with three weekly return flights to Auckland.

Like most Australian airports, MCY was impacted by travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that saw passenger numbers decline from a peak of 1,257,561 in 2018–19.

[5] The airport handled approximately 87,000 aircraft movements in 2012 and was nearing or exceeding its capacity of 900,000 annual passengers in consecutive years .

[9] 2016 saw domestic airlines Jetstar, QantasLink and Virgin Australia significantly increase their capacity through Sunshine Coast Airport, adding more than 65,000 extra seats.

[11] To address capacity issues at the airport, John Holland Group were contracted to undertake a major upgrade and expansion project in 2018.

[13][14] The scope of these works were controversial amongst airport tenants and communities that would be overflown by the new flight paths, becoming the subject of numerous legal challenges.

[citation needed] A series of environmental considerations were given to the expansion, including the Coordinator-General's recommendation to ensure the requirements for tidal flap to allow conveyance of floodwater and avoid submergence of mangrove roots for extended periods.

In February 2022, low-cost carrier Bonza announced that the airport would become its headquarters and one of two main bases for its planned start-up operation.

The airport has a single terminal, which can be split into separate international and domestic areas to accommodate Jetstar and Air New Zealand's Auckland flights.

[34] Airport shuttle services are run by several companies offering transfer to Sunshine Coast hotels and private residences.