The US citizen, 58, had been on a 14-hour flight from Los Angeles under police guard after his formal extradition yesterday on 13 charges including grievous bodily harm and manslaughter over his treatment of patients at Bundaberg Hospital between 2003 and 2005. He was due to arrive at 6.05am aboard Qantas flight 176, which was delayed.

The aircraft touched down at 7.15am.

He is expected to be whisked from the airport directly to the Brisbane City Watchhouse ahead of a court appearance at the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning.

Members of the Bundaberg Patients Support Group, including a woman whose husband died after surgery at the hospital, arrived in Brisbane last night and plan to attend this morning's court hearing.

"We are in Brisbane now and I think that is why we are all a bit nervy," group spokesperson Beryl Crosby said.

"We really are just expecting to hear the charges and I am not even sure that they will set another (court) date."

Police and security teams are on standby at the airport, where about 30 journalists, photographers and news crews have gathered.

It is believed passengers would be cleared from the plane before Dr Patel was led off the aircraft and likely given a police escort from the airport to the Brisbane watchhouse after being processed by customs.

- with Marissa Calligeros and AAP