The sixth busiest in Australia, Gold Coast Airport straddles the border between the states of Queensland and New South Wales. Located in the far south of the Gold Coast, it operates flights to a variety of destinations across Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific islands, and Asia. There is one terminal.

It was originally known as Coolangatta Airport, although the actual airport entrance is in the Bilinga suburb, rather than adjacent Coolangatta. It's the major base of budget airline Jetstar and is used by another ten airlines, including AirAsia X and Virgin Australia. During the summer months, the Gold Coast Airport runway crosses two different time zones, although it operates on Queensland time throughout the year.

A taxi rank is situated directly outside the terminal entrance. Pre-booked tourist shuttles also provide door-to-door services to all destinations in the Gold Coast. For Gold Coast destinations, visitors can also use the local Surfside Buslines. For destinations further afield in Queensland and New South Wales, take the bus to Varsity Lakes Train Station.

Coolangatta is an Aboriginal word meaning “place of good view”, a fitting name for when the airport was opened in 1936. Originally it consisted of three grass landing strips for airmail and passengers transiting between Brisbane and Sydney. It was renamed from Coolangatta to Gold Coast Airport in 1999.