A new $3.5bn (USD) international airport is coming to West Sydney. Western Sydney International aims to solve an ongoing problem with Sydney aviation – over a hundred years old, the city’s current airport (Kingsford Smith) can’t be expanded, as it’s hemmed in on all sides by urban development and ocean.
There have been proposals to build a second airport in Sydney since the 1960s. Now, finally, construction is over 90% complete.
Western Sydney International (WSI) is expected to welcome 10 million passengers annually, with capacity to grow alongside Western Sydney’s expanding population. The airport is designed for future expansion and already holds approval for 24-hour operations (unlike Sydney’s current airport, which operates under a curfew to limit noise pollution for residents).
Ultimately, WSI is set to become Sydney’s largest airport, handling over 80 million passengers each year, putting it on par with London’s Heathrow.
Where is Sydney’s new airport?
The Western Sydney International airport is under construction in the Sydney suburb of Badgerys Creek, 41km west of Sydney’s CBD. Access to this part of Sydney be much easier once the airport opens, with the toll-free M12 motorway directly into WSI currently in the works, as well as the coming extension of the Sydney Metro.
Which airlines will operate in Western Sydney International?
So far, Singapore Airlines and Qantas (Australia’s flagship airline) are confirmed to run flights to and from WSI. Singapore Airlines has a fleet of 163 airplanes, while Qantas has 125.
