Qantas and Virgin airlines have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Western Sydney Airport to enable them to fly out of the Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport in Western Sydney when it opens in 2026.
The MoUs mean the airlines will work with the airport to provide design and planning insights, as well as starting early discussions about planning for potential routes.
Announcing the development, the Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge said the parties would also collaborate on integral functions such as sustainability, baggage handling, security and systems at the airport.
“The MoUs are a great development in the progress towards the airport opening,” Mr Tudge said.
He said the MoUs would result in a world-class airport for both travellers and airlines designed to service international and domestic travellers, as well as full-service and low-cost carriers from the day it opens.
The Minister said around 11,000 jobs would be created during the construction phase and around 28,000 within five years of opening.
“The airport is already driving further investment in the region,” Mr Tudge said.
“Billions of dollars of Commonwealth and NSW Government investment in road and rail connections, including the M12 motorway and Stage One of Sydney Metro Greater West,” he said.
“This Metro service is part of the historic Western Sydney City Deal, a 20-year agreement that will make the region around the airport a better place to live and work, with better transport, housing choice, education liveability and the creation of 200,000 jobs.”
Mr Tudge said Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport will cater for up to 10 million passengers when it opens, but a gradual expansion to two runways means it will eventually cater for up to 82 million passengers by 2063, making it the size of London Heathrow and JFK in New York.
