Qantas and Jetstar to become first operators at new Western Sydney airport

Qantas and Jetstar have announced they will be the first airlines to fly from Sydney’s new Western Sydney International Airport when it opens in 2026. The two Australian airlines will operate a network of domestic flights from the airport, connecting it to major cities and regional destinations across Australia.

The Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), also known as Badgerys Creek Airport, is to be completed in 2026 and will be located in the western suburb of Badgerys Creek. The airport's location is situated 44 kilometres (27 miles) west of the Sydney CBD and 41 km (25 miles) west of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. It will have a single runway - 05/23 3,700 metres (12,139 feet) and it is 262 ft / 80 metres ASML.

The new airport is expected to handle up to 80 million passengers per year by 2060, which will help to relieve congestion at Sydney’s current airport, Kingsford Smith Airport. The airport is also expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation.

The construction of the new airport has been met with some opposition from local residents, who are concerned about the impact of the airport on noise, traffic, and air quality. However, the government has said that the airport will be built with the environment in mind and that it will take steps to mitigate the impact on local residents.