Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport will shed a load when the city’s second major airport opens in 2026.
It is intended that the new Western Sydney Airport will relieve pressure on the city’s slot-constrained Kingsford Smith International Airport.
The latter is situated closer to the city centre (just 8 km) while the new airport is a bit further away.
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORTÂ
According to government officials overseeing this project, the new airfield serving Sydney is earmarked to receive scheduled flights from late 2026.
This new airport facility costing $5.3 billion is expected to relieve some of the slot and space constraints experienced at Sydney’s Kingford Smith International Airport.
Construction of the new airport commenced in 2016. 9News reports that the facility is currently around 85% complete.
DEVELOPED IN STAGES
Sydney’s second major airfield is being developed in stages. The airport is initially expected to handle 10 million passengers a year.
By 2060, the facility is estimated to handle approximately 80 million passengers.Â
Once completed, Western Sydney Airport will be nearly double the size of Sydney’s existing airport, Kingsford Smith International Airport. Â
The development of the new airport is part of a broader strategy to decentralize air traffic away from Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Western Sydney Airport will be a full-service facility, handling both domestic and international flights as well as cargo traffic.
Initially, it will have a single runway, with facilities to handle 10 million passengers a year. However, a second runway may be added in the future, if demand warrants this.
Simple Flying states that once operational, the airport will operate 24 hours a day. It will not be subject to night curfews intended to curb noise levels around the city.
This could make the facility more attractive for a number of carriers that arrive or depart at irregular hours.
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AIRLINES ENLIST NEW AIRPORT
ABC says Singapore Airlines is the first international airline to agree to operate out of Western Sydney Airport.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told 9News, “It’s wonderful that Singapore Airlines, one of the world’s best, is the first international airline to choose Western Sydney Airport as one of its bases it comes to.”
Australia’s Transport Minister Catherine King said that talks were taking place with other carriers. Turkish Airlines and Vietnam Airlines are also said to be interested in using the new airport.Â
9News says the airport has signed agreements with Qantas and low-cost carrier Jetstar, to operate domestic flights out of the new facility.
