Sydney’s second airport has its first committed airlines, with Qantas and Jetstar signing on to operate domestic flights from Western Sydney International (WSI) when it opens in late 2026.
WSI will see up to 10 Jetstar and five Qantas narrow-body aircraft within the first year, operating more than 25,000 flights carrying around four million passengers per annum to destinations including Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said he expects WSI to become the group’s sixth biggest airport within its first year of operation.
“As we take delivery of more aircraft and expand our fleet, we see Western Sydney Airport as a significant growth opportunity for the Group, which will complement our existing operations in the Sydney basin and nationally,” he said.
“Western Sydney International Airport has some big strategic advantages with no curfew, technology that allows aircraft to be turned around quickly and a next-generation baggage system.
“Our data shows that more than two million trips per year are taken by people who live in the Western Sydney catchment so we know there will be demand for these flights from day one. Jetstar has a long history of stimulating demand when it starts flying to new destinations through low fares, so expect to see some great value travel options.”
According to Simon Hickey, CEO of Western Sydney International, the “substantial” Qantas and Jetstar presence will send a strong signal about the new airport’s offering to airlines and passengers.
“We’re enabling WSI with the latest technology, which will deliver an easier and more seamless travel experience. Qantas and Jetstar passengers are going to love flying from WSI and we can’t wait to welcome them,” he said.
“WSI is being designed for growth and will eventually become Sydney’s biggest airport. We have a roadmap to grow to 82 million annual passengers, around the size of the world’s major airports, such as Dubai and London Heathrow.”
The airport late last month published a review of its fuel supply options, which called for the NSW Government to prioritise the facilitation of pipeline corridors to WSI.
Initial fuel supplies will be delivered by B-double trucks, which WSI Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Scott MacKillop, noted “is the case for many airports across Australia in their growth phases, including Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Canberra”.
