{"id":939763,"date":"2026-10-24T23:16:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T23:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/939763\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T23:16:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T23:16:21","slug":"western-sydney-international-airport-opens-to-passengers-today-with-its-first-commercial-flights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/939763\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Sydney International Airport opens to passengers today, with its first commercial flights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) is officially open to passengers, with the new terminal being described as “a generational change to aviation”.<\/p>\n

The first commercial passenger flight from WSI departs for the Gold Coast at 11am.<\/p>\n

Jetstar flight JQ362 is sold out and will be the first service from a major new Australian airport in more than 50 years, with JQ363 from the Gold Coast then landing back at WSI at 3pm.<\/p>\n

The first departure to Melbourne then occurs at 6pm from WSI.<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

JQ362 will be the first service from a major new Australian airport in more than 50 years. (ABC News: Therese Banna)<\/p>\n

Located 45 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD and 18km from Penrith’s city centre, the Badgerys Creek aviation hub is a 24\/7 operation, unlike Sydney’s Mascot terminals.<\/p>\n

WSI officially opened for cargo operations back in July.<\/p>\n

“We’ve been in the final sprint of the marathon, so the legs are feeling a bit wobbly, but we’re really happy that we’re here,” WSI CEO Simon Hickey said.<\/p>\n

“This is a massive milestone; this is a generational change to aviation.”<\/p>\n

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King on Sunday lauded the decades-long effort to get the project built.<\/p>\n

“It requires perseverance to build really big things,” she said.<\/p>\n

“It requires a lot of dedication.”<\/p>\n

Among those checking in for the flight is Mark Ignativ from Queensland. He timed a road trip to Melbourne to stop by the new airport and catch the first passenger flight as a “joy ride”.<\/p>\n

\"Aglaya<\/p>\n

Aglaya Papadokokolakis will be the first to fly out of WSI. (ABC News)<\/p>\n

Blacktown-raised pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis will be the first to take off from the new airport on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“Today still feels very surreal,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I still don’t think the moment has sunk in of what is actually happening.<\/p>\n

“It’s such an honour and something I’m going to remember for the rest of my career.”<\/p>\n

What the future holds for WSI\"A<\/p>\n

The new airport has been designed with growth front of mind. (ABC News: Floss Adams)<\/p>\n

According to Mr Hickey, “eyes are moving west” when it comes to forward-planning for the future growth of Western Sydney and its new airport.<\/p>\n

“We’re designed for growth. We’ve built an airport terminal that is about the same size as Adelaide Airport, which is about 10 million annual passengers a year,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We’re not going to start at 10 million passengers a year, but we’re going to grow into that \u2026 [by] the early to mid 2030s, we’ll start to get closer to that.”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

WSI projects it could reach its full 82 million passenger capacity per year by the 2060s. (Supplied: WSI)<\/p>\n

Into the 2060s and with the addition of more terminals and another runway, WSI could reach its full 82 million passenger capacity per year.<\/p>\n

In comparison, London’s Heathrow Airport in 2025 welcomed over 84 million passengers.<\/p>\n

“Destinations will continue to grow,” Mr Hickey added.<\/p>\n

“What I can say is that in just over 12 months from now \u2026 we’ll have over 250 destinations that people can connect to \u2026 [it’s] a magnificent start and we’ll continue to go from there.”<\/p>\n

There are hopes further airlines will come on board as well.<\/p>\n

\"Simon<\/p>\n

Simon Hickey says he is happy that the commercial opening day has arrived. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)<\/p>\n

About 10,000 workers helped build WSI, with approximately half of that workforce from Western Sydney, Mr Hickey said.<\/p>\n

“Up to 8,500 jobs will be required to support operations across the precinct by the time WSI reaches 10 million annual passengers in the 2030s,” he said of the projected job growth opportunities.<\/p>\n

Weighing up if a trip from Sydney’s new airport is for you<\/a><\/p>\n

The doors to Western Sydney International Airport are set to soon welcome commercial passengers.<\/p>\n

Indigenous artists from Western Sydney were also commissioned for their artworks to decorate the new terminal.<\/p>\n

One of those featured, Dharug and Darkinjung artist Adam Laws, said he tried to map the local floral and fauna in his sculptures called Barayabinyang or Songbirds, which is featured in the external forecourt.<\/p>\n

“To have Dharug culture represented there for all those visitors, it’s just so good to get us on the map and get our stories and traditions out there. Let people know we are still here, still resilient,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Adam Laws is delighted to have his artwork showcased at the new airport. (Supplied: WSI)<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Mr Hickey said WSI wanted to “provide choice” to all greater Sydneysiders and those coming to Australia from around the world.<\/p>\n

“We can’t wait to welcome passengers to this beautiful airport.”<\/p>\n

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