Sydney opens US$4 billion second airport with few flights
After more than half a century of political procrastination, environmental protests and funding shortfalls, Sydney finally has a second airport. But the new A$5.6 billion (US$4 billion) site’s commercial prospects are already in question. Western Sydney International, 50km (31 miles) inland from the city centre, will handle its first passenger flight on Sunday – a Jetstar service to the Gold…
Sydney has opened its second airport, Western Sydney International, at a cost of US$4 billion, but the new facility's commercial prospects are already in question. Located 50km inland from Sydney's city centre, the airport will begin operations with a single Jetstar service to the Gold Coast on Sunday. Aviation data company Cirium reports that the airport will handle only a handful of scheduled flights daily for the next year.
The development comes amid the global travel industry's toughest period since the pandemic, as airlines grapple with rising fuel costs, fare hikes, and a shortage of new jets. Additionally, a planned rail link to the airport won't open until 2027, while a shuttle bus costs A$55 and takes about an hour to reach the city center. Sydney's primary airport, Kingsford Smith, remains the more convenient option for most travelers.
Despite optimistic passenger forecasts of 8.4 million by the end of the decade and 20 million by 2045, Western Sydney International is expected to handle a fraction of the traffic compared to its main competitor. The airport is built on former farmland and is anticipated to attract passengers from the growing western Sydney population, which is projected to reach half of Sydney's 6.1 million residents by 2030.
However, major airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia have limited their domestic capacity in response to rising costs and reduced demand. Jetstar, the airport's main customer, is evaluating the feasibility of increased frequency based on demand. Despite these challenges, Western Sydney International's CEO, Simon Hickey, remains optimistic about attracting more airlines to the facility.
Long-term projections suggest the airport could handle 82 million passengers by 2063 and potentially become Sydney's primary air-travel hub.
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