Western Sydney International opens with sold-out inaugural flight
Western Sydney International Airport launched Sunday with a Jetstar service to the Gold Coast that sold out in 45 minutes.
Nancy-Bird Walton Airport, named after an early Australian aviator, opened for flights on Sunday after around eight years of building. The first Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast carried 188 passengers and sold out in 45 minutes.
Hundreds of aviation fans watched from the terminal as the plane left. The airport is 50 kilometres west of Sydney city centre and has no curfew, unlike Sydney Airport.
It's the first major airport to open in Australia since Melbourne's Tullamarine in 1970. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally opened it and called it Australia's best airport.
Seven airlines will fly from here from day one. The airport is expected to handle 10 million passengers each year by the 2030s.
- 188
- First commercial flight passengers
- 45 minutes
- Sold out in
- 50 kilometres
- Distance from city centre
- Melbourne Tullamarine, 1970
- First major airport since
Why it mattersWestern Sydney residents can now fly without driving to the city's congested southern airport, cutting travel time and costs significantly.
AustraliaThe airport brings long-awaited capacity relief to Australia's most populous region and could shift millions of passengers away from Sydney Airport, reducing congestion for the broader network.
Corroborated bysmh.com.au·theage.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
