A PROPOSED major redevelopment of the Gold Coast Airport terminal building has been pushed aside amid fears the works would not have been completed ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Plans for a $300 million redevelopment of the airport were unveiled last year with stage one of the project to include a new three-level extension to the terminal and three new wide-bodied aircraft stands with two new aerobridges.

The initial stage was due for completion in 2017, well ahead of the Games when more than 126,000 visitors and athletes are expected to descend on the region.

Those works have now been rescheduled with Gold Coast Airport chief operating officer Marion Charlton confirming concerns that the work would not be completed in time for the Games had forced a rethink.

"Slight delays have pushed the timeline out and bad weather in the next 12 months could have seen the deadline extended further,” Ms Charlton said.

"While we would have liked to deliver the new building component...in time for the Games, we are acting now before construction has progressed too far.

"The new development timeline should see building work delivered in 2019.”

Ms Charlton said some works would be completed prior to the Games, including expanding the apron capacity.

The announcement comes as the airport released its 2017 Preliminary Draft Master Plan for public comment.

The airport is already Australia's fifth busiest international airport and currently caters for more than six million passengers a year. By 2037, it is forecast more than 16.5 million people will use the facility.

Ms Charlton said the plan established a framework for the future of the site, including possible changes to flight paths and how the land in and around the airport is to be developed.

"It will particularly focus on the development required over the next five years,” she said.

The plan will be open for public consultation for 60 days.

Community information session will be held from 2-5pm at Kingscliff Community Hall on Tuesday, November 8 and at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre on Monday, December 6.