Maroochydore was originally served by Maroochydore Aerodrome, which closed around 1937. On 19 July, 1946, Meridan Plains was advocated as the site for a new airport during a North Coast Council of Progress Associations meeting. A deputation representing the association presented the proposal to the Landsborough Council, which included representatives of the Mooloolaba Progress Association, Maroochydore Progress Association, and Palmwood Progress Association. A preliminary inspection was conducted at the site, which comprised over 1000 acres, determining that it would be feasible for aviation usage. The deputation also suggested the construction of a road from each side of the Mooloolah River, a bridge over the river, and a temporary landing strip at minimum cost.

In 1954, a site for the new airport was proposed by the Near North Coast and Mary Valley Council Progress Associations. In 1958, the site was surveyed by Fred Murray, which at the time was sugar cane fields and dense tea-tree scrub all shrouded with mosquitos. In 1959, the Pacific Paradise Development Company facilitated the construction of a new 2,000 foot long runway, costing 3,000 pounds. On 14 August, 1959, Roy Kassulked landed his HAL HT-2 on the newly constructed runway, becoming the first pilot to land an aircraft at Maroochydore Airport.

Operations

On 12 August, 1961, Maroochydore Airport was officially opened by Minister of Civil Aviation, Senator Shane Paltridge. The first hangar was also built, and began housing the Sunland Aviation by 1965. A terminal building was constructed in 1979. The runway was extended to 1,797 m (5,896 ft) in 1983 to allow the operation of Fokker F28 Fellowship and BAe 146 regional jets. The runway was upgraded again in 1993 to allow the operation of larger Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 jets. A new terminal building was completed in 1997 and the airport was renamed Maroochydore-Sunshine Coast Airport.

By 2009, the airport handled 916,845 annual passengers, making it the 15th busiest airport in Australia. On 3 June 2010, the airport changed its name from "Maroochydore-Sunshine Coast Airport" to "Sunshine Coast Airport" and changed its ICAO code from YBMC to YBSU. 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 .

International flights and growth

In February 2012, Air New Zealand announced plans to launch a new twice-weekly service between Auckland and Sunshine Coast Airport, to operate seasonally from July to September, the first time scheduled International flights had operated from Sunshine Coast Airport. Customs, immigration and quarantine facilities were added to the terminal ahead of the first flight. On 12 November, Air New Zealand announced that the season would be extended in 2013, with flights operating from June to October. Air New Zealand later committed to operating the services until at least 2017.

2016 saw domestic airlines Jetstar, QantasLink and Virgin Australia significantly increase their capacity through Sunshine Coast Airport, adding more than 65,000 extra seats. 24,200 more seats were added between Sydney and Sunshine Coast, 16,920 extra on the Melbourne to Sunshine Coast route, while Jetstar introduced direct flights to Adelaide, providing 23,400 seats on the new route.

On 9 February 2017, Sunshine Coast Regional Council mayor Mark Jamieson announced that Palisade Investment Partners had been awarded a 99-year lease to operate the airport, with the lease running until 2116.

Expansion and reconfiguration

To address capacity issues at the airport, John Holland Group were contracted to undertake a major upgrade and expansion project in 2018. As part of the construction, the existing 1,797 m (5,896 ft) runway 18/36, which handled all commercial jet traffic was decommissioned and converted to a taxiway. Its replacement was a new 2,450 m (8,040 ft) NW-SE runway (Runway 13/31). To allow for this, the 650 m (2,130 ft) general aviation runway (12/30) was also removed. 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.

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. Other requirement such as offsetting to provide additional critical habitat for vulnerable flora and fauna including revegetation of sections to provide adequate and alternate suitable wildlife corridors for species.

On 14 June 2020, the new runway (13/31) was opened, allowing operation of larger wide body aircraft such as Airbus A330 and Boeing 777, Boeing 787 with longer range capable of direct flights to Southeast Asia, China and Hawaii, with minimal impact on nearby residents.