Western Sydney Airport given WSI as international code identifier

Western Sydney Airport has joined iconic airports around the world including LAX, JFK and LHR by securing their own three letter code.

Western Sydney Airport has joined iconic airports around the world including LAX, JFK and LHR by securing the three letter code WSI.

“In securing WSI, our new airport has joined the ranks of other airports with iconic codes such as LAX, JFK, LHR and HKG,” Western Sydney International Airport Chairman Paul O’Sullivan said.

“Bag tags, booking websites and airline apps around the world will now feature WSI, as the airport continues to act as a driving force in the region’s renaissance, now with a code that puts Western Sydney on the global stage.”

The new code was painted on to the runway at the airport this week.

Airport codes are normally assigned in the 12 months before an airport opens but the International Air Transport Association agreed to the WSI designation three years before the airport opens thanks to lobbying from Qantas and Virgin.

The runway at Western Sydney Airport has been painted with the official airport code WSI. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve had enormous levels of interest from airlines, not only from our Australian MOU airline partners, but from airlines around the world that are excited for what new aviation capacity, 24/7 operations and a modern, digitally enabled airport means, including for Sydney’s brand as Australia’s global city,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Already 11,000 of 17,000 possible airport codes have been assigned with other possible codes for Western Sydney Airport already taken. NBW – short for Nancy Bird Walton Airport – is the code for Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. WSA – short for Western Sydney Airport – is the code for Wasua Airport in Papua New Guinea.

Western Sydney Airport has taken a big step by being given it’s three-letter code. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Western Sydney Airport chief executive Simon Hickey said the early designation of the three letter code was an important step in gaining global recognition for a new 24-hour, digitally enabled airport in Sydney.

“Western Sydney is truly Sydney’s cultural heartland and with WSI now confirmed as one of our most important global identifiers, our role connecting the world to Sydney via this exciting and diverse region is clear,” Mr Hickey said.

Federal infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced the new prefix today and said awarding of the three letter code for the airport underscored how important the “game changing” infrastructure would be to the people of Western Sydney and global airlines.

“The awarding of the IATA three-letter code is an exciting step forward in the development of WSI,” she said.