The first passenger flights have departed from the newly opened Western Sydney Airport, marking the first time in over 50 years that Australia has inaugurated a major new airport. The inaugural flight, Jetstar flight JQ362, took off from Nancy Bird Walton Airport just before 11:30 a.m. yesterday, bound for the Gold Coast with 188 passengers on board. The airport, which carries the name of pioneering Australian aviatrix Nancy Bird Walton, is located in western Sydney and has been under development for several decades, involving $5.3 billion in construction.
Among those witnessing the historic departure were Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, and Federal Transport Minister Catherine King. The Prime Minister highlighted the airport as a milestone for western Sydney and the nation, noting his long-standing support for the project dating back to his maiden speech in parliament. He referred to the airport opening as a “great day” for western Sydney, NSW, and Australia overall.
The airport’s operations commenced with a second flight to Melbourne departing in the afternoon, followed by the first international flight scheduled for today, destined for Auckland, New Zealand. Premier Minns expressed enthusiasm about the airport’s potential to connect western Sydney internationally, playfully mentioning the accessibility of destinations such as Thailand and Fiji from the new terminal.
Jetstar Captain Guy Proctor, based on the Gold Coast, and First Officer Aglaya Papadokolakis from Blacktown, piloted the first Airbus A320-Neo to depart from the airport. Passengers included early ticket purchaser and aviation enthusiast Peter Deppler, while local residents such as Jetstar cabin manager Jay Dhingra hailed the airport’s convenience, emphasizing the reduction in commuting time compared to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport.
Western Sydney Airport CEO Simon Hickey described the launch as the culmination of years of planning and investment, stressing that the facility is designed primarily to serve the local population in western Sydney rather than Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger predicted significant economic benefits, citing the airport’s role in unlocking infrastructure developments and land for future growth. Projections estimate that within a decade, the airport will handle 10 million passengers annually and provide employment for approximately 8,500 people. Several international carriers, including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Vietjet, Air New Zealand, and Fiji Airways, are expected to operate flights from the airport.
The airport opening also attracted Federal and State opposition figures, including Angus Taylor, Kellie Sloane, and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley. Sloane praised the terminal’s design as among the most aesthetically pleasing in Australia but noted that transport connectivity to the airport remains a critical issue to address.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King pointed to the airport’s status as Sydney’s only 24-hour aviation cargo hub, which had already facilitated over 1,000 flights since July. She described the start of passenger services as a landmark in Australian aviation history and underscored the airport’s role within western Sydney, an area characterized by its diverse population and economic significance.
Among the first passengers was the Lunam family from Cranebrook, who received seats on the inaugural flight through Jetstar’s frequent flyer program. Stephen Lunam called the airport’s proximity “a game changer” for the region. The family met the Prime Minister before their departure.
The day proceeded smoothly overall, aside from a minor incident when a returning passenger accidentally struck the arrival tunnel wall with his head, causing some damage.