Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Sydney’s new Western airport opens with few scheduled flights
Western Sydney International Airport begins passenger flights on October 25, with a Jetstar service to the Gold Coast.
Built at Badgerys Creek, about 50 kilometres from central Sydney, it is the city’s second airport and Australia’s first new full-scale international airport in more than half a century.
Only a handful of airlines are committed so far, and schedules show six or fewer flights a day over the next 12 months.
The airport’s first international services are due to follow, including Air New Zealand flights and Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore.
A rail link is not expected until 2027 at the earliest, while the shuttle bus to central Sydney takes about an hour and costs A$55.
These transport limits, along with airline capacity constraints and uncertain demand, make the more central Kingsford Smith Airport a more practical choice for many travellers.
The airport is counting on western Sydney’s growing population to bring passengers, including people visiting family overseas.
Its chief executive says talks are under way with other airlines, and the airport plans to expand facilities as demand grows.
Western Sydney International, Sydney’s second airport, is set to begin passenger flights on October 25 with a Jetstar service to the Gold Coast.
The A$5.6 billion airport has attracted only a handful of airlines, with six or fewer scheduled flights a day over the next 12 months.
A rail link is not expected to open until 2027 at the earliest, while a shuttle bus to central Sydney takes about an hour and costs A$55.
The airport expects 8.4 million passengers a year by the end of the decade and almost 20 million annually by 2045.
It is also promoting a new international lounge for premium travellers, initially serving Singapore Airlines passengers.
- Who
- Western Sydney International and airlines including Jetstar, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines.
- What
- Sydney’s new second airport is opening to passenger flights with few scheduled services initially.
- When
- The first passenger flight is scheduled for October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Badgerys Creek, about 50km inland from central Sydney.
- Why
- The airport is intended to serve western Sydney and provide additional airport capacity; the sources do not state a single specific reason for its opening.
Western Sydney International and its supporters
Critics of its near-term prospects
Passenger demand
Western Sydney International and its supporters
The airport expects traffic to grow, with 8.4 million passengers a year by the end of the decade.
Critics of its near-term prospects
David Levinson said the passenger forecasts looked “a bit optimistic.
Convenience
Western Sydney International and its supporters
The airport says its curfew-free schedule is expected to spur competition with Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
Critics of its near-term prospects
Levinson said the main airport is much more convenient to almost all travellers; the rail link to Western Sydney is not expected before 2027.
Debate about the need and location for a second Sydney airport began.
The government settled on Badgerys Creek as the airport site.
Construction of the airport started.
The airport opened for cargo flights.
Jetstar is scheduled to begin passenger operations with a flight to the Gold Coast.
Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore Changi Airport are scheduled to begin.
- Construction cost
- A$5.6 billion
- Distance from city centre
- About 50km
- First passenger flight
- Jetstar to the Gold Coast, October 25, 2026
- Scheduled flights
- Six or fewer a day over the next 12 months
- Rail link
- Not expected to open until 2027 at the earliest
- Lounge capacity
- 80 seats initially, with plans to expand to 130
3 sources
What people are saying
The main airport is much more convenient to almost all travellers
a bit optimistic
We expect demand will grow, and when we see that, we’ll put more frequency in
Ahead of our inaugural flight, we are working closely with our airport partners to deliver a seamless, premium ground experience for our customers