First international flight arrives at the new Western Sydney airport

Published on 26 October 2026 - 15:27 GMT+1 Australia’s first major new international airport for 50 years is now fully operational. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) welcomed its first international passengers on 26 October, with Air New Zealand flight NZ165 touching down from Auckland. The arrival came a day after the airport officially opened, with Jetstar launching its first domestic passenger services. Located at Badgerys Creek, about 60 kilometres west of central Sydney, the new airport operates around the clock. That gives airlines greater scheduling flexibility than at Sydney’s existing Kingsford Smith Airport, where a curfew restricts take-offs and landings between 11 pm and 6 am. “WSI is the most transformational piece of infrastructure our nation has seen since the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” said WSI CEO Simon Hickey. “WSI's passengers will be able to enjoy access to more than 250 destinations around the globe just over a year from now – a remarkable start for Sydney’s new 24-hour gateway.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the opening of the new airport a “milestone” that has been “decades in the making”. “With the opening of Western Sydney International, this will help drive the next chapter for the region,” he said. “This isn’t just about a new runway or terminal. This is about jobs, investment and delivering for one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.” The airport is officially named after Nancy Bird Walton, who was Australia's first female commercial pilot. What can passengers expect at Sydney’s new airport? Domestic and international gates share a single terminal, with automated check-in and baggage technology designed to make journeys smoother. WSI initially has capacity for 10 million passengers a year. The airport says it could eventually become Australia’s primary gateway, with capacity for more than 80 million passengers annually. Transport options include public buses, taxis, rideshares and rental cars, while drivers can reach the airport via the toll-free M12. Flights to and from WSI Singapore Airlines will launch daily Singapore services on 23 November, followed by Vietjet flights to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in January 2027, and Fiji Airways services to Nadi in March. Qatar Airways will connect Doha and WSI from 15 December 2027. Domestically, Jetstar’s network covers the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Brisbane, with daily Gold Coast services, up to 14 weekly return services to Melbourne and three to Brisbane. Qantas will join on 28 March 2027, operating four weekly flights on each of its Melbourne and Brisbane routes through QantasLink.