Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport has opened to passengers, with a Jetstar Airbus A320 carrying the first commercial service from the new facility to the Gold Coast. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally opened the airport on Sunday, marking the launch of Australia’s first major new airport in more than 50 years and a new domestic and international gateway for western Sydney.
The airport, located at Badgerys Creek about 45 kilometres from Sydney’s central business district, will operate around the clock, avoiding the overnight restrictions at Sydney Airport. Its single terminal combines domestic and international operations and is intended to expand capacity, airline competition and travel options for the region.
Jetstar’s opening schedule includes daily Gold Coast flights, up to 14 weekly services to Melbourne and three weekly services to Brisbane. Air New Zealand is due to operate the first international passenger flight, to Auckland, on Monday, with Singapore Airlines, Vietjet, Fiji Airways and Qatar Airways among the other carriers committed to the airport. Qantas will also operate domestic services.
The project follows more than 40 years of anticipation, seven years of construction and a year of testing. The airport forms part of an approximately A$18 billion investment in western Sydney, including planned rail and road upgrades intended to improve access to the new facility.