AUSTRALIA. Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) officially opened today (25 October), as the inaugural passenger flights took place at Australia’s first new international airport in more than half a century.
The opening “ushers in a bold new era of aviation for the nation”, said the airport company.
Below we present images and words from this momentous occasion for Australian aviation (scroll down for our earlier full background story) and a follow-up as international passenger flights began the next day.
UPDATE: 26 OCTOBER
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport says “Kia ora to New Zealand”
Sydney’s new 24-hour global gateway today welcomed its inaugural international passengers, with Air New Zealand touching down from Auckland this morning, connecting Western Sydney to the world.
The arrival of flight NZ165 marked another milestone for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), just one day after it officially opened and welcomed its first domestic passengers.
The aircraft began its return journey across the Tasman as flight NZ166 later in the morning, kicking off a new chapter that WSI said will give Sydneysiders more choice and flexibility when travelling to New Zealand alongside convenient onward connections across Air New Zealand’s extensive domestic and international network.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey said he was delighted to mark the arrival of the airport’s first international passengers, which demonstrated the exciting new opportunities WSI was creating for airlines and their passengers.
“Kia ora to our friends across the Tasman and a very warm welcome to Sydney’s new global gateway. Together with our valued partners at Air New Zealand, Western Sydney is now off taking off to the world,” he commented.
“Through our 24-hour operations, Western Sydney International Airport gives airlines greater flexibility to connect into global hubs and travellers more choice in how they reach the world, offering an unprecedented new era of connectivity for people across Greater Sydney.
“Western Sydney is home to around 2.5 million people and more than 170 ancestries, with residents frequently travelling overseas for business and to connect with family and friends. As one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing economies, the region represents a substantial new market for international airlines.
“We’re bringing more aviation capacity and competition to the doorstep of one of Australia’s fastest-growing markets, giving international airlines room to grow and travellers from Western Sydney and beyond a modern, world-class, digitally enabled airport experience,” Hickey added.
“Today is a fitting celebration of our two nation’s deep cultural and historical bonds, with the first international flight from our vibrant and diverse Western Sydney region to New Zealand’s largest city and commercial hub for tourism and trade.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, “Western Sydney International Airport has hit the ground running, and it’s only going to get bigger and better from here.
“Next month, WSI will also launch its first direct flights to Singapore, with additional new connections across the Pacific and Southeast Asia to follow next year.”
Air New Zealand Chief Operations Officer – Ground and Inflight, Kate Boyer, said being the first international airline to touch down at WSI is a rare moment in aviation history and an exciting opportunity for the airline and New Zealand.
“Itthe state government of New South Waless not every day you get to be part of opening a brand-new international airport, let alone be the first international passenger airline to land there. We’re excited to be part of this historic milestone.
“Australia and New Zealand share a special connection, and this new service is about bringing people and places even closer together. It gives Western Sydney residents a new gateway to explore New Zealand and beyond, while opening more opportunities for tourism, trade, and business on both sides of the Tasman.
“Auckland is also a fantastic gateway beyond New Zealand, with easy, frequent services to destinations across our domestic network and the Pacific Islands.”
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “The arrival of the first Air New Zealand flight into Western Sydney is a significant milestone for the region, opening the door to more visitors, new business opportunities and local jobs.
“Direct international connections will help showcase Western Sydney to the world, supporting the region’s growth and strengthening NSW’s position as Australia’s leading visitor economy.
“The Minns Labor Government [i.e. the state government of New South Wales] partnered with Air New Zealand and Western Sydney International Airport to secure the route through the A$16 million (US$11.25 million) Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, established in 2025 to attract new international flights and deliver economic benefits for Western Sydney.”
Passengers on today’s Air New Zealand services are the first to experience the new airport’s international offering. WSI said they would discover a state-of-the-art terminal designed for a seamless and stress-free airport experience unlike any other in Australia.
WSI is the first Australian airport to open with a fully digital arrivals declaration process as part of the Federal Government’s new Australia Travel Declaration, a digital alternative to the traditional paper Incoming Passenger Card.
International passengers can submit their customs, immigration, and biosecurity information electronically before landing, making arrivals simpler and more efficient.
UPDATE: 25 OCTOBER
“The most transformational piece of infrastructure our nation has seen since the Sydney Harbour Bridge”
“This is an absolutely extraordinary day. A great day for Western Sydney, a great day for New South Wales and a great day for the nation.” – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Video courtesy of Western Sydney International Airport)
Prime Minister Albanese was welcomed with a smoke ceremony, an ancient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custom that has been practiced for over 60,000 years in Australia.
Delivering the commercial wow factor
Sydney, one of the world’s great cities, had long faced the need for a second airport, with its existing gateway Sydney Kingsford Smith facing strict capacity constraints, mounting congestion and an overnight flight curfew. In contrast, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) is a 24-hour airport, expanding the city’s, state’s and country’s flight options and opening up domestic and international alternatives for international and Australian passengers. Today’s focus was, rightly, on the sheer achievement of creating such an impressive new facility and the operational, travel & tourism and employment benefits it brings. But behind the scenes it was also a triumph for the airport’s commercial team. They have collectively created what informed sources say is a diversely impressive domestic and international shopping offer, anchored by Lagardère AWPL (duty-free and travel essentials) and complemented by a nicely curated food & beverage proposition. Getting that offer right in a new 24-hour international gateway is crucial and an enormous amount of work has gone on behind the scenes over several years to deliver it. As I have previously written, selling the commercial opportunities of a new airport to prospective business partners in an ultra-competitive – and pressured – region is no easy task. I repeat my words from that article: the days of issuing an RFP and waiting for enticing offers to flood in are long gone. The extensive road shows and behind the scenes discussions at events such as The Trinity Forum, played a critical role in attracting the partner and brand mix appropriate to such a gleaming and high-profile facility.  In July, we asked General Manager Retail Glyn William how Western Sydney International Airport management would like the first travellers’ impressions to be as they entered the space. He replied, “We want people to feel the wow factor, experience the scale of what has been developed and embrace being one of the first passengers walking through this exceptional, brand-new airport.” That is precisely what happened today and with international flights coming on stream this Monday, the wow term will no doubt be uttered by many a traveller going forward. The commercial team, led by Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Alison Webster and Glyn Williams, will be deservedly proud – and no doubt exhausted – tonight. Whatever their choice of toast, a great Hunter Valley Shiraz or Semillon, perhaps, or a chilled Tooheys New lager, it will undoubtedly taste extra good. |
15.10
Click on the YouTube icon to view Jetstar flight JQ363 from the Gold Coast touch down at Western Sydney International Airport, marking the historic first passenger aircraft arrival at the newly opened gateway
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11.22
11.02
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Earlier…
“It’s a milestone that has been decades in the making and one that belongs to the people of Western Sydney”
AUSTRALIA. Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) officially opened today (25 October), as the inaugural passenger flights took place at Australia’s first new international airport in more than half a century.
The opening “ushers in a bold new era of aviation for the nation”, said the airport company.
The first passengers will take domestic Jetstar flights to Gold Coast and Melbourne at the new 24-hour airport today.
As reported, multiple speciality brands secured by WSI and its anchor retail partner Lagardère AWPL join the new global gateway’s retail precinct, alongside a diverse F&B, advertising and ground transport offers, among other commercial services.
WSI’s first international lounge – The Rayleigh Lounge – will open in November, operated by dnata.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey was joined at an inauguration ceremony this morning by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
Hickey said Western Sydney International’s launch and first passenger flight is an historic moment for Western Sydney and the thousands of people who have spent millions of hours bringing Australia’s new state-of-the-art airport to life.
“For decades, countless people have advocated for an airport in Western Sydney and the social and economic benefits it would provide. Today, that ambition will become a reality as we mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our city’s cultural heartland,” he said.
“WSI is the most transformational piece of infrastructure our nation has seen since the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It brings the world closer to Western Sydney and opportunity closer to home, creating new meaningful jobs for generations to come. Young people growing up in the West can now look to the sky and see their future is bright and right here, in their own backyard.”
Domestic and international gates sit under one roof, while check-in, baggage and airfield technology helps deliver “a seamless, stress-free experience for passengers and airlines”.
“WSI is here to grow with Sydney for the coming century, expand choice for travellers and airlines, and connect more people with more places and opportunities,” Hickey said.
“WSI’s passengers will be able to enjoy access to more than 250 destinations around the globe just over a year from now – a remarkable start for Sydney’s new 24-hour gateway.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “For the first time in more than 50 years, Australia is opening a major new airport. It’s a milestone that has been decades in the making and one that belongs to the people of Western Sydney.
“I’ve been a strong supporter of this project for a long time and I’m very proud to officially open it.
“I want to thank the thousands of workers who made it happen. This airport will make a real difference for Western Sydney, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and making it easier for people to travel for generations to come.”
WSI opens with capacity to cater for up to ten million passengers a year and has been designed to grow with Sydney. Over time, it is expected to become Australia’s primary gateway, with capacity for more than 80 million passengers annually.
The airport’s 24-hour operations add capacity to the Sydney aviation market and give airlines greater flexibility to introduce new services and routes.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, “It can’t be overstated how big a moment this is for Western Sydney, for its people, for its economy and its industries.
“Today is a real milestone in our country’s travel history, and with tomorrow seeing the first international flight leave the tarmac for Auckland, the sky is the limit.”
The opening of passenger services follows the commencement of operations at the WSI Cargo Precinct on 27 July. ✈
