The AUD$300 million (£147 million/$213 million/€189 million) redevelopment is due to begin shortly with most of the work scheduled to be finished by the end of 2017 in time for the Games.

The apron and taxiway expansion will be completed in two stages, finally being completed in 2021. 

"Gold Coast Airport currently services around six million passengers per year, which is forecast to grow to 16.3 million passengers in 2031," Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss told the Gold Coast Bulletin. 

"In the immediate future, more than 117,000 visitors, 5,000 athletes, 2,000 officials and 2,700 media representatives are expected to travel to the Gold Coast for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, with most arriving through the airport."

The Airport, located about 25 kilometres south of Surfers Paradise, the heart of the Gold Coast, straddles the state boundary between Queensland and New South Wales, which in the summer are in two different time zones. 

According to the latest figures, Gold Coast Airport was the sixth busiest airport in Australia.

It was busiest outside a state capital and third fastest growing in the country. 

The Airport currently receives flights from all over Australia and New Zealand and several destinations from within Asia, including Hong Kong, Malaysia and Japan. 

"The major redevelopment of the Airport will almost double the size of the terminal, expand the apron to accommodate five additional aircraft stands and incorporate four new aerobridges - a facility long awaited by travellers," said Truss. 

"Approximately 230 full time jobs will be created during construction, while an average of 180 additional full time workers employed once the expanded terminal is completed."