Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport welcomed its first international passengers on 26 October 2026, with the arrival of Air New Zealand flight NZ165 from Auckland. International operations began a day after the official opening, when Jetstar launched domestic passenger services. The facility is Australia’s first major new international airport in 50 years.
Situated at Badgerys Creek, approximately 60 kilometres west of central Sydney, the airport operates around the clock. This offers airlines greater scheduling flexibility than at Kingsford Smith Airport, where aircraft cannot take off or land from 11 pm to 6 am.
Initially capable of accommodating 10 million passengers annually, the new airport could eventually handle more than 80 million a year, according to its operator. The airport says this expansion could make it Australia’s primary gateway. Domestic and international gates occupy a single terminal, with automated check-in and baggage systems intended to simplify passenger journeys.
Ground transport includes public buses, taxis, ride-hailing services and hire cars, alongside road access via the toll-free M12. The airport is named in honour of Nancy Bird Walton, Australia’s first female commercial pilot.
Chief executive Simon Hickey said passengers would have access to more than 250 destinations worldwide in just over a year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the opening as a milestone following decades of preparation, linking the project to jobs and investment in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
