Western Sydney Airport: 1200 jobs up for grabs as runway construction set to start in 2022

The multibillion-dollar Western Sydney Airport project has 1200 jobs up for grabs as a major construction company prepares to start work on the runways.

Construction is set to start on the futuristic runways planned for the $5.3 billion Western Sydney Airport next year, as the companies awarded the project can now be revealed.

More than 1200 jobs will be up for grabs as part of the construction phase, after joint venture CPB Contractors and ACCIONA were awarded the multimillion-dollar tender for the 3.7km runway — designed with state-of-the-art technology to allow planes to land in thick fog — “rapid-exit” taxiways and more than 40 kilometres of internal roads.

Artist impressions of the Western Sydney Airport runway. Picture: Supplied.

Western Sydney Airport chief executive Simon Hickey said the runway’s cutting-edge design would set a new benchmark for air travel with the airfield design developed to reduce taxi times and prevent delays on the tarmac.

“Our airfield’s design means we’ll safely get planes in the air or to the gates faster,” Mr Hickey said. “At Western Sydney International, we’ll get passengers on their way sooner, whether that’s getting to your meeting on time or arriving home to loved ones.

The runway is also designed to take on ultra-long-haul planes.

”Western Sydney International will continue operating safely in foggy conditions that currently shut down Sydney’s skies,” Mr Hickey said. “Our airfield will be future-ready, designed for expansion with consideration for emerging technologies such as electric aircraft.”

What the runway currently looks like.

Three thousand aeronautical ground lights will also be installed by the joint venture.

Federal Urban Infrastructure and Cities Minister Paul Fletcher said the “once-in-a-generation infrastructure project” would be a major jobs driver at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

“We’ve spent several years preparing the airport site, including moving 18 million cubic metres of earth to date, and the awarding of this contract means that from next year construction on the new airport runway and taxiways can begin,” he said.

Urban Infrastructure and Cities Minister Paul Fletcher. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said billions of dollars would be injected into the economy as the tender is awarded.

“Many more of the thousands of direct and indirect jobs set to be created from the project can flow at a time when stimulus in Western Sydney is more critical than ever,” he said.

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“We are also on track to begin construction of the integrated passenger terminal at the end of this year, which will have the capacity to handle up to 10 million passengers a year when the airport opens in 2026.”

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue executive director Adam Leto said the push forward was great news for Western Sydney: “At a time when commercial confidence is down, and unemployment on the rise, this is going to provide a much-needed, and timely, boost.”

Pictured is Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Director, Adam Leto. Picture: Richard Dobson

“There’s no doubt that as we emerge from the current lockdown that infrastructure investment is going to play a critical role in our city’s economic recovery, and given the current pipeline of projects currently planned, and being delivered, Western Sydney is well placed to play a leading role in the bounce-back,” he said.

Western Sydney International is on track to open to international, domestic and air cargo services in late 2026.