Key facts
- Western Sydney International Airport will open to passengers on October 25.
- Qantas and Jetstar will commence passenger services from the new airport.
- Jetstar will operate up to 14 weekly flights to Melbourne, four to the Gold Coast, and three to Brisbane.
- Qantas Freight will establish a major hub, with cargo services beginning next month.
- Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines will also launch services to the new airport.
Sydney's new Western Sydney International Airport is set to open for passenger services on October 25, over a decade after planning began. The A$5.6 billion facility aims to alleviate night-time restrictions at the existing Sydney Airport, which operates under strict noise curfews.
The new airport, located about 60 km west of the city center, will operate 24 hours a day, offering airlines greater scheduling flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for routes to Asia and the Gulf, as well as for serving the growing population in Western Sydney.
Qantas and its low-cost carrier Jetstar will be among the first airlines to operate from the new airport. Jetstar plans to launch services to the Gold Coast and Melbourne, while Qantas' regional arm will commence flights to Melbourne and Brisbane in March next year. Qantas Freight will also establish a significant hub, with cargo services commencing next month and handling an estimated 850 tonnes of freight weekly.
International carriers are also set to utilize the new airport. Air New Zealand will begin services to Auckland on October 26, and Singapore Airlines will launch daily flights to Singapore on November 23, taking advantage of the airport's 24-hour operation for its late-night departure.
The airport is a cornerstone of the Australian government's A$18 billion investment in the Western Sydney region, which includes future rail links and road upgrades.