Sunshine Coast Airport (YBSU)
Large airport · Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Sunshine Coast Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YBSU |
| IATA | MCY |
| Elevation | 15 ft (5 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 26°35'36" E 153°4'59" -26.59332, 153.08319 |
| Location | Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/31 | 9,186 ft (2800 m) | 148 ft | ASPH | Yes |
Sunshine Coast Airport at a glance
Sunshine Coast Airport is a large airport in Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia, known to airline systems as MCY. The field elevation of 15 ft (5 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YBSU are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 13/31, offers 9,186 ft (2800 m) of asph surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 13 points roughly 130° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for YBSU shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Sunshine Coast Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane International Airport | YBBN | 88 km (48 NM) |
| RAAF Base Amberley | YAMB | 122 km (66 NM) |
| Kingaroy Airport | YKRY | 124 km (67 NM) |
| Hervey Bay Airport | YHBA | 143 km (77 NM) |
| Oakey Army Aviation Centre | YBOK | 161 km (87 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sunshine Coast Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 15 ft field elevation of Sunshine Coast Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 194 airports and airfields we list for Australia — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Sunshine Coast Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sunshine Coast Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sunshine Coast Airport is YBSU, and its IATA code is MCY. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sunshine Coast Airport above sea level?
Sunshine Coast Airport sits at an elevation of 15 feet (5 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sunshine Coast Airport located?
The airport lies at -26.5933, 153.0832 — in Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Brisbane International Airport, about 88 km away.
Does YBSU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YBSU appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Sunshine Coast Airport?
Sunshine Coast Airport has one runway. The longest, 13/31, measures 9,186 ft (2800 m) with a ASPH surface.