Western Sydney International Airport opened its first international flight after more than 40 years of planning, aiming to increase passenger options and stimulate the economy and employment in the western region.
The new international airport in western Sydney, Australia, commenced its first international flight today (26 Oct) with Air New Zealand landing a plane from Auckland, New Zealand, before departing from the airport in the morning. This marks the official launch of weekly international services with three flights.
Western Sydney International Airport took over four decades to plan and is the first major new airport in Australia in more than 50 years. Domestic flights began service last Sunday, while air cargo operations started in July.
Kate Boyer, Chief Operating Officer of Air New Zealand, said participating in the opening of the new international airport is a rare opportunity. She noted that western Sydney has over 2.5 million residents and serves as an additional gateway to facilitate international travelers’ access to destinations across Australia.
The new airport has a single runway and was built with a budget of AUD 5.3 billion (around USD 3.7 billion), excluding surrounding transport projects. Currently, access is by road, with a direct rail connection expected no earlier than December 2027.
The new airport offers an alternative to Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney’s main airport for over a century, which served more than 42 million passengers last year across three runways. However, the old airport faces noise restrictions and a nighttime curfew, whereas the new airport can operate 24 hours.
Simon Hickey, Airport CEO, stated that 24-hour operations will provide airlines with greater flexibility to connect with global hubs and offer passengers more options for international travel.
For domestic flights, Jetstar, a low-cost carrier under Qantas, is the main operator with routes to Gold Coast, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Other international airlines planning to begin services include VietJet Air in January 2027, Fiji Airways in March 2027, and Qatar Airways in December 2027.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new airport marks a new chapter for the country and will stimulate the economy, investment, and employment in western Sydney, an area previously less highlighted compared to the harbor and central business districts.
.source :channelnewsasia
Click to read more aboutInternational news