Western Sydney International Airport welcomed its first international passengers on October 26, 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, about 60 kilometers west of central Sydney, the airport operates 24 hours a day. This gives airlines greater freedom to choose flight times than at Kingsford Smith Airport, where takeoffs and landings are restricted between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The new airport’s official name honors Nancy Bird Walton, Australia’s first female commercial pilot.
Domestic and international passengers share a single terminal, the main building used by travelers. Automated systems help with check-in and baggage handling. The airport initially has capacity for 10 million passengers annually, but it says that could eventually rise to more than 80 million.
Passengers can reach the airport by public bus, taxi, app-based ride service, or rental car. Drivers can use the M12 without paying a toll. More international services are planned, with Singapore Airlines scheduled to begin daily flights to Singapore on November 23.
