SYDNEY — Sydney’s new Western Sydney International Airport officially opened to passengers on Sunday, marking a significant advancement in the region’s infrastructure after over a decade of planning. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the A$5.6 billion ($3.94 billion) facility as a milestone for the city, Australia’s most populous.
Located in Badgerys Creek, approximately 60 kilometers west of Sydney’s central business district, the airport will operate around the clock. This continuous operation aims to serve the fast-growing, ethnically diverse population in the area, setting it apart from the existing Sydney Airport, which restricts operations from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
“For the first time in more than 50 years, Australia is opening a major new airport,” Albanese stated. “It’s a milestone that has been decades in the making. I’m very proud to officially open it,” he added.
Jetstar, Qantas’ budget airline, was scheduled to operate the first outbound flight to the Gold Coast on opening day, according to an announcement from the airport. The new facility is designed to accommodate over 80 million passenger movements annually.
The launch of passenger services follows the commencement of cargo flights in July, indicating that operations at the airport are already underway. The site spans 1,780 hectares and was purchased by the federal government in the 1980s, with construction completed after a seven-year build process and nearly 15 years of planning.
