Airports
Western Sydney International: Sydney opens a second airport with no night curfew
Western Sydney's new airport welcomed its first passenger flights on 25 October 2026. Open around the clock, it will complement the historic Kingsford Smith airport, which is subject to a night curfew.
By Rédaction··2 min read
A first flight to the Gold Coast
On 25 October 2026, low-cost carrier Jetstar operated the first commercial departure from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, bound for the Gold Coast. Scheduled flights to Melbourne and Brisbane followed. Air New Zealand opened a route to Auckland on 26 October, the airport's first international service.
The announced schedule continues:
| Airline | Destination | Start |
|---|---|---|
| Jetstar | Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane | 25 October 2026 |
| Air New Zealand | Auckland | 26 October 2026 |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore (daily) | 23 November 2026 |
| Qantas | Brisbane, Melbourne | 28 March 2027 (announced) |
Freight got there first: Qantas Freight has operated scheduled flights from the airport since 27 July 2026.
Why a second airport?
Sydney's historic airport, Kingsford Smith, is subject to a night curfew (11pm to 6am) that severely limits night flying. Western Sydney International, about 45 km from the city centre, can instead operate 24 hours a day. The Australian government plans to make it the city's main airport for overnight freight from 1 November 2026.
A gradual ramp-up
The airport opens with one terminal and one runway of about 3.7 km, long enough for every airliner including the A380. Initial capacity is around 10 million passengers a year. The long-term plan allows for up to four terminals and two runways, with capacity of up to around 82 million passengers a year.
The project, worth more than 5 billion Australian dollars, created more than 12,800 jobs according to the government, about half of them filled by Western Sydney residents. A metro line to the airport is planned.
Key points
- First passenger flights on 25 October 2026, first international flight on 26 October.
- Round-the-clock operations, unlike Kingsford Smith.
- 10 million passengers a year at opening, up to around 82 million in the long term.
Origin and rationale
Origin: Australian Department of Infrastructure announcement and airline schedules, cross-checked with trade press (see sources). Why this story: opening of a major international airport in the week of 26 October 2026. Written by aeronautique.com, sources accessed on 2 November 2026.
Sources
Related
Airports
Greenland: Ilulissat opens an international airport above the Arctic Circle
On 29 October 2026, Greenland opened the new Ilulissat International Airport on Disko Bay. It completes a three-airport programme designed to open the island to direct flights.
2 November 2026
Airports
Paris-CDG and Orly: two Paris airports with complementary roles
Nearly 107 million passengers passed through Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly in 2025. Two airports run by the same group, but with very different profiles and constraints.
23 October 2026
Airports
Airport security: what happens at the passenger screening checkpoint
Walk-through detectors, X-rays, body scanners, liquids limited to 100 ml: security screening is an unavoidable step before boarding. Here is how it works and which rules apply to cabin baggage.
22 October 2026