Sydney's US$3.7bil new airport launches first international flights
SYDNEY: The first international flight took off Monday from a new, multi-billion-dollar airport in the fast-growing western suburbs of Sydney.
International air travel began at Western Sydney International Airport on Monday, marking a new chapter for Australia. The multi-billion-dollar facility in the city's western suburbs offers an alternative to Sydney's main airport, Kingsford Smith, which has been operational for over a century. Air New Zealand inaugurated the service with a three-flights-a-week schedule, primarily targeting the working-class western suburbs of Sydney, home to more than 2.5 million residents.
The airport, costing Aus$5.3 billion, began domestic operations on Sunday and freight services in July. It operates 24 hours, with no restrictions on night flights, providing airlines with greater flexibility to connect to global hubs. Future international carriers include Qatar Airways, Fiji Airways, and Vietjet Air, set to arrive by December 2027.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the airport's potential to drive economic growth and job creation in western Sydney, an area often overlooked despite its close proximity to the city's bustling harbor and CBD.
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