Urban List
Eloise Luke
23 September 2026
Sydney’s west is preparing for a major new chapter, with Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport now scheduled to welcome its first passenger flights on 25 October 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sydney’s second major airport...
Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand have been named as the airport’s major launch partners. Jetstar will begin three weekly Brisbane services on 26 October, followed by Qantas flights on the route from 28 March 2027.
The airport’s terminal has been built around shared infrastructure rather than separate airline-specific check-in zones. Passengers can use common self-service kiosks and bag-drop facilities, regardless of which participating airline they are flying with.
A robot-powered baggage system developed by Vanderlande, part of Toyota Industries, automates the collection, sorting and delivery of luggage to aircraft-loading containers. Before opening, the system underwent large-scale testing using thousands of bags in different shapes, sizes and weights...
