Western Sydney International Airport welcomed its first international passengers on 26 October 2026, when Air New Zealand flight NZ165 arrived from Auckland. The arrival followed the airport’s official opening a day earlier, when Jetstar began domestic passenger services. It is Australia’s first major new international airport in 50 years.
Located at Badgerys Creek, around 60 kilometres west of central Sydney, the airport operates 24 hours a day. This gives airlines more freedom to arrange their schedules than at Sydney’s existing Kingsford Smith Airport. There, a night-time restriction limits take-offs and landings between 11 pm and 6 am.
The new airport initially has capacity for 10 million passengers a year. According to the airport, it could eventually handle more than 80 million annually and become Australia’s primary gateway. Domestic and international flights share one terminal, where automated systems help passengers check in and manage their baggage.
Transport options include public buses, taxis, ride-hailing services and hire cars, while drivers can use the toll-free M12. The airport’s official name honours Nancy Bird Walton, Australia’s first female commercial pilot. Her name forms part of its full title: Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
