Sydney's second airport opens Oct 25 under crisis-tested leader
Western Sydney International Airport opens October 25. Its CEO witnessed 9/11.
Simon Hickey took over building Australia's first major airport in 50 years in 2020, three months into the COVID lockdown. Hickey steered the project through one-in-100-year floods, a mouse plague, locust swarms, and bushfires.
Hickey was in New York's MetLife Building on September 11, 2001. Hickey watched the World Trade Centre burn from his office window.
He later backed Qantas's controversial choice to ground its entire fleet in an industrial dispute. The first passenger flight from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport launches October 25.
This opens direct competition with Sydney Airport at Mascot, more than 50 kilometres away. The new airport's main advantages are its curfew-free status and Commonwealth ownership.
- October 25
- Opening date
- Simon Hickey
- CEO
- 50 years ago
- First major airport since
- 50+ kilometres
- Distance from Sydney Airport
Why it mattersSydney now has a second major airport. This will reshape aviation competition and passenger choice in the region.
AustraliaAustralian travellers using Sydney will gain a curfew-free alternative airport, potentially lowering fares and reducing Kingsford Smith's monopoly on western Sydney routes.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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