New Sydney Airport Opens to Passengers in 5.6 Billion Milestone

Sydney’s new Western Sydney International Airport opened to passengers on Sunday, October 25, marking Australia’s first major new airport in more than 50 years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the launch a major milestone for the country’s most populous city following more than a decade of planning.

The A$5.6 billion ($3.94 billion) facility is situated in Badgerys Creek, approximately 60 km (37.3 miles) west of central Sydney. Unlike the current airport located closer to Sydney’s central business district—which is restricted to hosting takeoffs and landings only until 11 p.m. and after 6 a.m.—the new site will operate 24 hours a day. This round-the-clock schedule provides airlines with expanded scheduling flexibility compared to other major Australian cities like Melbourne, while granting access to a fast-growing and ethnically diverse population center.

Milestone Opening and First Flights

“For the first time in more than 50 years, Australia is opening a major new airport. It’s a milestone that has been decades in the making,” Albanese said in a statement. “I’m very proud to officially open it,” he added.

According to a statement from the airport, Jetstar, the budget arm of Qantas, was scheduled to operate the facility’s very first outbound flight to the Gold Coast on Sunday. The commencement of passenger services follows the launch of cargo flights at the facility in July.

New Facility Can Handle 80 Million Annual Passengers

The newly opened facility spans a 1,780-hectare (4,398-acre) site that was originally purchased by the federal government in the 1980s. Realization of the site involved 15 years of planning and a seven-year build, culminating in its completion in July 2025.

Airport officials stated that the facility possesses the capacity to handle more than 80 million passenger movements annually. The exchange rate cited for the project is $1 to 1.4219 Australian dollars.