The first passenger flight from WSI is scheduled to be conducted by a Jetstar Airbus A320 to the Gold Coast. Photo: Andrew McLaughlin.
The Federal Government has announced that the new Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) will commence its first passenger services on 25 October this year.
The first airline to use the airport – named after famed aviator Nancy-Bird Walton – will be Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary Jetstar which is scheduled to take off from WSI for the Gold Coast at 11 am on 25 October.
The service will be the first of 17 flights per week Jetstar will fly from WSI to the Gold Coast, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
As Region reported in April, Air New Zealand will commence international flights to Auckland on 26 October, while Singapore Airlines will start daily flights to Singapore from 23 November.
Freight operations at WSI are scheduled to commence from Sunday 26 July, with all of Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) operators that currently operate in and out after SYD’s curfew hours between 11 pm and 6 am to use WSI which has no curfew. Qantas Freight says it will begin regular flights to and from WSI from 27 July.
Qantas has also announced it will commence mainline services from WSI from 28 March 2027, with four flights per week scheduled to Brisbane and four to Melbourne, both using subsidiary QantasLink’s 120-seat Embraer E190 aircraft.
The start of freight and passenger operations comes after an exhaustive test and bedding down period for the airport, construction of which was largely completed in June 2025.
And the announcement of the start of passenger services comes after Qantas and WSI finalised a five-year agreement for domestic passenger flights and freight that will enable both airlines to build their schedule as demand for services grows in Western Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his connection with WSI went back to 2011 when, as transport minister in the Gillard government, he commissioned a joint study with the NSW government into how to deliver a second airport.
“I said at the time, it wasn’t ‘a matter of if Sydney needed a new airport, but when,’” he said in a 10 June release.
“Fifteen years later, this new airport is almost ready to open.
“I want to thank the tens of thousands of people who over the years planned, built and are now testing Western Sydney International Airport and the surrounding infrastructure right here in Western Sydney.”
Qantas will commence flights from WSI in March 2027 using Embraer E190s. Photo: Andrew McLaughlin.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King added, “This is a big moment for Sydney, with passenger flights at Western Sydney Airport commencing in just 137 days.
“With the new Nancy-Bird Walton Terminal, and brand-new cargo and business precincts readying to open, this won’t just be the centre of travel in Western Sydney, but also jobs.”
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the start of passenger flights at WSI was a major milestone for Australian aviation, one that had been years in the making.
“We’re incredibly proud that Jetstar will be the first Australian airline to begin operations at Western Sydney International Airport and Qantas will follow early next year,” she said.
“We’re excited by the potential of Western Sydney International Airport to spur local tourism and make aviation more accessible for millions of people in Western Sydney, who currently have to travel to Kingsford Smith to catch a flight.
“Jetstar has an incredible history of growing new markets and being the first airline to launch will give one of the country’s fastest growing regions better access to low fares to some of our most popular destinations,” she added.
“We know there’s growing demand for customers in Western Sydney and we’re proud to be working with Gold Coast Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland to make our services to South East Queensland a reality.
“WSI will also become a key hub for Qantas Freight, with more than 850 tonnes of freight expected to move through our new terminal each week helping us meet growing demand for e-commerce and next-day deliveries.”
WSI CEO Simon Hickey added, “These Qantas and Jetstar services will give Western Sydney’s frequent business and leisure travellers more choice and flexibility to fly from Sydney’s new 24-hour gateway to some of our nation’s most popular east coast hubs, with flights expected to grow over the years ahead.
“Despite the ongoing global conflict that continues to challenge the industry, today’s domestic ticket launch is another vote of confidence in Western Sydney International Airport, and the opportunities this rapidly growing region presents for the future of air travel in Greater Sydney.
“We’re also delighted to welcome Qantas Freight to our integrated 24-hour Cargo Precinct from Monday 27 July, which will help boost our city’s air cargo capacity and ensure people get critical goods more efficiently while supporting businesses to grow and reach new global markets.”
Construction at WSI was largely completed in June 2025. Photo: Western Sydney International Airport.
