Sounds like the NIMBY's are at it again with the local members voicing opposition.
Are the A330's not able to do the RNP?
Given the Coast's population, tourism dependance, and the difficulties just getting a basic ILS installed, is it time to build a proper airport somewhere else?
LONG-suffering airline passengers and pilots are facing more further potentially dangerous delays in getting an all-weather landing system at Gold Coast Airport.
Flights into Coolangatta are diverted to Brisbane in bad weather because of the lack of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) which allows pilots to land aircraft safely.
The absence of an ILS has become an embarrassment for Australia's sixth busiest airport, especially because small regional airports including such as Proserpine, Mildura and Wagga Wagga already have the system.
Last month, plane-load of Japanese tourists and returning Australians holidaymakers due fly in to in Coolangatta at 6.25am did not arrive until 3pm because their Jetstar flight was diverted to Brisbane.
"It's a total debacle,'' one passenger fumed at the time.
The former federal Labor government pledged $10 million to install the ILS and the Abbott Government has committed to the project but sources told The Sunday Mail said the system was now unlikely to be in place until the middle of next year.
The latest delay is s are believed to be a result of several factors including have been caused by factors including opposition from central Gold Coast residents who would be in the airport flight path when the ILS is used.
In addition, state MP for Burleigh Michael Hart, a former aircraft engineer, has questioned the effectiveness of the system and Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens is lobbying against the flight path on behalf of his constituents.
Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Gail O'Neill said the ILS was "long overdue".
"It's very disappointing to hear of yet another delay. This has been going on for years,'' she said. "We're a tourism town and we should be servicing our tourists. We shouldn't be diverting them to Brisbane and putting them on buses.''
Australian Federation of Air Pilots spokesman Simon Lutton said pilots wanted safety improvements at Gold Coast.
"Any upgrade or improvements to navigation aids and resources would certainly be welcomed by pilots,'' he said.
A THREE-year campaign to bring a $10 million instrument landing system to the Gold Coast could be derailed by some of the city's richest residents who don't want planes flying over their houses for just 60 days of the year.
The ILS will allow planes to land in all weather conditions and fly as low as 60m.
The proposed ILS flight path would take planes over Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach and is expected to be used for five per cent of landings in low-visibility situations.
More than $10 million was committed to the project by the former Labor government in May after years of lobbying and a growing number of Gold Coast bound flights being delayed each December and January.
However, some Mermaid Beach residents and politicians don't want it at all.
Mermaid Beach Community Association president Alf Vocker, an LNP member, said he was "utterly opposed" to the plan and would take the matter directly to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
"Mermaid Beach is a high residential area and the last thing we want is to become another Currumbin," he said.
"Our residents are utterly opposed and we will protest any move to put us under a flight path because we cannot seen any reason for it.
"We have a lot of high-pressure people here as far as the Federal Government is concerned and we will bring the pressure to the MPs themselves including Tony Abbott who I know personally."
Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens is leading a campaign against the proposed flight path which crosses through his electorate.
Mr Stevens demanded federal MPs Steven Ciobo and Karen Andrews exert their influence in Canberra to prevent the plan from becoming a reality.
He said the proposed flight path was not suitable given the area's high-density population.
``I will be asking for our MPs to support the limitation of this flight path use to periods of bad weather only rather than all through the year,'' he said.
``It is incumbent upon the federal member to have a pragmatic and reasonable solution for our residents given this is a system which would likely only see use 60 days in a year.
``We must be clear the residents of this area do not want planes going over their houses when it is not necessary.''
LS systems are already installed in capital city airports as well as at Townsville, Wagga Wagga, Launceston and Cairns, all of which bring in fewer aircraft and visitors than Gold Coast, which is the sixth busiest airport in the country.
Community consultation is expected to be held through the Christmas period.
Mr Ciobo has been involved in negotiations and said living under a flight path was one of the realities of living in a city with a growing population,
``It is my understanding that around five per cent of arrivals will actually use the system primarily in low-vision situations,'' he said.
``Frankly this is what happens when you live in a city of more than half a million people and I say that as someone who lives under what will be the flight path.
``We need this system to keep the city growing and continue to be an international destination and I think the impact will barely register.''
The existing flight path is primarily offshore and only crosses the coastline at Currumbin.
Gold Coast Airport boss Paul Donovan said residents would get to have their say.
``It will go out to consultation and everyone will get to see what it is and have their say,'' he said.
``It is a bit early for anyone to comment on the system until after it has gone before the public but ultimately the number of flights which would use it would be minimal.''