Sydney is about to open a new international airport on 25 October, complementing the city’s existing Kingsford Smith Airport and initially set to cater for up to 10 million passengers a year.
Named after Australia’s first female commercial pilot, Western Sydney International Nancy-Bird Walton Airport (WSI) has been under construction for seven years.
The new airport aims to relieve pressure on Kingsford Smith, which is facing capacity constraints and a night-time curfew imposed to protect nearby residents from aircraft noise.
With its 3.7 km runway and 24-hour operations, WSI has ambitious expansion plans, with the potential to handle 82 million passengers a year, which would propel it to become Australia’s main gateway.
Situated over 60 km west of Sydney’s city centre, the airport will offer easier access to popular destinations like the Blue Mountains, Liverpool, Campbelltown and the Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Jetstar is set to launch domestic services to Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and Air New Zealand’s inaugural international flight to Auckland is scheduled for 26 October.
From 23 November, Singapore Airlines will introduce daily flights to Singapore, offering additional connections for travellers from Europe, including the UK.
Vietjet Air and Fiji Airways will follow with routes to Ho Chi Minh City in January 2027 and Nadi in March.
Will flying from WSI be cheaper?
According to The Guardian, which compared fares for December travel, Jetstar return flights to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport started at A$187 from WSI, compared with A$258 from Kingsford Smith. Flights to the Gold Coast were also cheaper, but Brisbane fares were more competitive from the existing airport.
International fares were generally more competitive from Kingsford Smith, although Fiji Airways offered potential savings on flights to Nadi.
Getting to the airport could also make a considerable difference. While a new metro connection is under construction, a free shuttle will link WSI with St Marys railway station every 30 minutes.
Another connection joins the WSI network… 🚌 say G’day to Super Shuttle WSI 👋 Connecting WSI with Parramatta CBD, Sydney CBD and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Super Shuttle WSI will provide on-demand express electric bus transfers from day one of passenger services. Tickets are available now. Book via: https://t.co/4DgVcYh3TL #WSIAirport #FlyGreaterWSI
— Western Sydney International Airport (@WSIAirport_) September 30, 2026
For travellers coming from central or eastern Sydney, taking a taxi or using a ride-hailing service could significantly increase the overall cost.
Driving from central Sydney takes around an hour, compared to approximately 20 minutes to Kingsford Smith. However, WSI’s 6,000-space car park offers substantially cheaper parking, at least while introductory discounts remain in place.
The airport is also targeting premium passengers. Its new 80-seat Rayleigh Lounge, designed by COX Architecture, is set to open in November and will initially serve eligible Singapore Airlines passengers.
With an open kitchen, bar, private shower suites and views of the Blue Mountains, the lounge draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape and will eventually accommodate 130 guests.
As well as improving passenger convenience, the new airport is expected to stimulate the economy of Western Sydney, create jobs, and improve business connections with overseas markets.
Figures released in June by Australia’s Department of Infrastructure show that the project has already created more than 12,800 jobs during construction, around half of which went to local workers. Over A$500 million has also been invested in more than 360 businesses across Western Sydney.
