AIRPORTS: Singapore Airlines first International to commit to Western Sydney Airport

Western Sydney International Airport – Nancy Bird Wilson (WSI) has confirmed the intention of Singapore Airlines to operate out of the new 24-hour airport.

WSI, now 80% complete is scheduled to open in 2026. Local domestic carriers Qantas and Jetstar have committed to some operations from the new airport, but until now, no international airline had committed.

Singapore Airlines (SIA)

This Asian based carrier already runs substantial flights to Australia equal to pre-pandemic frequancy.

Singapore Airlines and its low-cost offshoot, Scoot, currently fly into Adelaide, Cairns, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

“Western Sydney International Airport’s late-night departure capacity, for instance, could allow Singapore Airlines’ business travellers to finish a full day’s work in Sydney, take an overnight flight and arrive in Singapore before their first morning meeting  the very next day. ” 

Simon Hickey, WSI CEO

Why 24-hour operation is attractive to airlines

WSI is attractive to international airlines because it does not have the same operational and capacity caps as Sydney Airport.

At Sydney Airport, widebody aircraft cannot land or take off between 11 pm and 6 am. This can present problems for international carriers flying in from Asia on 6 to 8-hour routes. They often have to circle waiting to land until the airport is officially open in the morning.

Airport opening restrictions lead to scheduling difficulties for airlines, requiring aircraft to extend their turnaround times. In the airline industry, time on the ground and not in the air means losing money.

Western Sydney Airport will operate 24 hours a day giving all airlines using it maximum flexibility in scheduling.

For many in Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and southern Sydney, the Western Sydney International Airport will be closer and more convenient to get to than Sydney Airport located on the coast.

Competition

The other important impact of WSI is the competition it will provide for Sydney Airport, especially for low cost and international airlines. Sydney Airport is run by its own private company, while WSI is government owned and run at the moment.

The two airports will be in competition for airline traffic come 2026. ,With WSI having the 24-hour operating advantage, and the willingness to discount to score business for its opening, that’s going to place pressure on Sydney Airport to contain its charges and make them competitive. And that competition should put a hold on airfare prices out of Sydney.

“Our combined international and domestic terminal will give Singapore Airlines customers a seamless transfer experience, while our state-of-the-art baggage system and efficient design, including five-minute taxi times on the tarmac, means passengers will be able to get on their flight faster and relax and enjoy the award-winning service on board.” 

Simon Hickey, WSI CEO

WSI is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026.  

2PAXfly Takeout

Just a final note, I live within 15 minutes of Sydney Airport on a good day. I wish there was no aircraft noise, but that’s the price of convenience.

I’ve lived in Sydney since the 1980’s. The Badgery’s creek site was consolidated through land purchase in 1986 for a 24 hour operating airport. The development was delayed while a third runway was built for Sydney Airport. Still it was recognised that Sydney Airport would reach capacity in the 2030s. In 2012, the process to build a new airport was re-activated.

Aircraft noise is a real issue, but the residents surrounding Badgery’s Creek where the new WSI resides have been on notice since the mid 1980’s – some 40 years ago that an airport would be built. Some even took advantage of that knowledge with land purchases.

I say all that to justify my limited sympathy for those who now, two years out from the WSI’s opening, complain about the noise the airport will generate, and plead for its operations to be reduced from 24 hours