Western Sydney International Airport to Open on 25 October 2026
After more than 15 years of planning and seven years of construction, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is set to officially open to passengers on 25 October 2026, marking a historic milestone for Australia’s aviation industry and the future growth of Western Sydney.
Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister announced that the airport’s first commercial passenger service will depart on Sunday, 25 October, with a Jetstar Airbus A320 flying from the new airport to the Gold Coast at 11:00am.
The Prime Minister said the opening fulfilled a long-standing vision for Sydney’s aviation future. He recalled commissioning a joint study with the NSW Government in 2011 to explore the development of a second Sydney airport stating that the question was never whether Sydney needed another airport, but when it would become a reality.
Freight operations will begin even earlier, with Qantas Freight scheduled to commence services on 26 July 2026.
As Australia’s first major greenfield airport developed in decades, Western Sydney International will operate as a full-service, curfew-free airport, handling domestic, international and freight services.
During its initial phase, the airport is expected to accommodate up to 10 million passengers annually, with significant capacity for future expansion.
Jetstar will become the airport’s inaugural airline, offering up to 14 weekly flights to Melbourne, four weekly services to the Gold Coast, and three weekly flights to Brisbane.
Qantas will follow on 28 March 2027 through its QantasLink network, operating four weekly flights each to Brisbane and Melbourne using Embraer E190 aircraft.
International services will commence shortly after the airport opens. Air New Zealand will launch flights between Auckland and Western Sydney on 26 October 2026, while Singapore Airlines will begin daily services to Singapore from 23 November 2026.
The airport forms a key part of the Federal Government’s nearly $18 billion investment in Western Sydney, which includes the Sydney Metro Airport rail connection, major road upgrades, and the recently completed M12 Motorway.
According to the government, construction of the airport has created more than 12,800 jobs, with around half of those positions filled by workers from Western Sydney. More than $500 million in contracts have also been awarded to over 360 local businesses during the construction phase.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King described the airport’s opening as a landmark achievement for the region, highlighting its role in creating jobs and supporting economic growth through its passenger, cargo and business precincts.
Western Sydney, home to around half of Sydney’s population and Australia’s third-largest economy, is expected to benefit significantly from the airport’s operations, strengthening its position as a major economic and logistics hub.
The government also confirmed that from 1 November 2026, Western Sydney International Airport will be permitted to operate overnight aircraft movements under updated aviation arrangements. As a result, overnight freight operations at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport will cease, except in emergencies or under special exemptions.
Federal MPs representing Western Sydney welcomed the announcement, citing the significant economic, employment and infrastructure opportunities the airport will bring to the region.
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s most important infrastructure projects in recent decades, Western Sydney International Airport is expected to transform passenger travel, freight logistics and economic activity across the region for generations to come.