Shellharbour council's group manager of city services, Rosemary Crowhurst, said precautionary measures had been put in place to reduce the potential for damage to the runway seal, taxiway and apron.

Ms Crowhurst said the council had been in discussions with managers of other airports and had worked with HARS to implement some strategies, such as laying out a hard material under the wheels of the plane during the taxi from the runway to the aircraft's resting place on concrete pads near the HARS hangar.

The main runway, which is 1819 metres in length, usually allows for aircraft up to 25 tonnes, but the council said this limit was based on regular use.

The runway has in the past accommodated aircraft in a range of sizes, including the Lockheed Super Constellation and the Australian Defence Force's Hercules.

"There are a range of controls that can be applied to each aircraft over standard size to reduce its impact on the runway, including speed, tyre pressure and environmental conditions," Ms Crowhurst said.

The Qantas 747-400 aircraft is due to land at Illawarra Regional Airport about 7.45am on Sunday, March 8.

The council said the early morning arrival time had been scheduled to reduce the chance of high winds and heat. Weather permitting, the plane will leave Sydney at 7.30am, fly along the coast and turn towards the escarpment near Wollongong at 4000 feet, before turning south to approach the runway from the West Dapto area.

The 15-minute flight from Sydney to Shellharbour will be performed by four Qantas pilots, who have spent time in the Qantas simulator flying the route.

The council said after landing, the plane would be assessed on the runway before using the taxiway.