Sydney’s new international airport opens to passengers

Sydney's brand new international airport, Western Sydney International Airport, welcomed its first passengers on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for the bustling city. The $5.6 billion (approximately $3.94 billion USD) project, set to operate around the clock, was opened after over a decade of planning. Situated about 60km west of Sydney's central business district, the airport provides airlines with access to a rapidly growing and diverse population center.

The existing airport, closer to Sydney's business hub, has a limited operating schedule, restricting flight schedules compared to other major Australian cities like Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed pride in officially opening the new airport, stating it's a long-awaited milestone in the nation's aviation history.

For the first time in half a century, Australia is opening a major new airport, a journey that has spanned several decades. Qantas' budget subsidiary, Jetstar, was scheduled to operate the inaugural flight to the Gold Coast on Sunday. The airport boasts the capacity to handle over 80 million passenger movements annually once fully operational. Cargo flights commenced at the facility in July, following a seven-year construction period, after a planning phase that lasted 15 years.