upgrades...
Over the past few months our local airport has been undergoing an upgrade (designed by Woodhead International) to its runway and terminal. The new runway can handle larger jet aircraft, allowing Jetstar and Virgin Blue to offer flights departing and returning every day to and from Melbourne/Sydney/etc. Previously the only way to get to these destinations was via a connecting flight through Brisbane on Sunshine Express (who operate a Fairchild Metro 3/23 and Shorts SD 3-60), or by driving to Brisbane first and then catching a flight. Having, in the case of Virgin Blue, Boeing 700s and 737-800s, and for Jetstar, Boeing 717-200s and Airbus A320-200s, flying in and out each day, is going to make it effortless to fly interstate.
Above is a photo of the new terminal, which is currently receiving finishing touches in readiness for its official opening this Friday when the first flights from Virgin Blue commence.