Budget airport for Badgerys Creek as stakeholders seek to attract low-cost airlines

BADGERYS CREEK will be built on a budget to attract low cost airlines to western Sydney. However, Werriwa federal Labor MP Anne Stanley says anything less than a full-service airport will be a “huge betrayal”.

• Badgerys cost to be borne by Sydney Airport
• Badgerys to become heart of western Sydney

BADGERYS CREEK will have a full-service, 21st century airport by the mid-2020s, ­according to the Infrastructure Department.

A department spokesman said the western Sydney airport would cater for the “full range of domestic and international aviation services, including full-service and low-cost carriers”.

The assurance came after Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce told News Corp the airport “had to be cheaper than Kingsford Smith”.

“Demand analysis suggests that, initially, western Sydney airport will be most attractive to low-cost carriers and leisure carriers, but that its share of full-service carriers will grow over time,” the spokesman said.

Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher with new Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres at the site of Badgerys Creek airport. Picture: Richard Dobson

Southwest Airlines in the US is the foremost example of the so-called leisure carriers — no-frills airlines that generally boast lower fares for simpler in-flight services.

“As seen in Australia and internationally, demand for the leisure-carrier market continues to grow,” the spokesman said.

“These carriers represented 18.4 per cent of inter­national passenger traffic in Australia in August 2016.”

Badgerys Creek is stuck in limbo while a decision is made about who will fund and develop the airport. Picture: Phil Rogers

The Infrastructure Department also said surrounding development was essential to the airport’s success.

“The success of the airport will be based not just on the airlines using it, but also on the development in the surrounding area of airport-compatible industries that create long-term jobs,” the spokesman said.

Greater Sydney Commission deputy chief commissioner Geoff Roberts said the western Sydney airport would be a game-changer for the region and provide opportunities for jobs in advanced manufacturing, logistics, defence, aerospace, avionics, health, education and tourism.

“The Western Sydney City Deal will be the single largest ever planning, investment and delivery partnership in Australia,” Mr Roberts said.

“(It is) fundamental that we co-ordinate the planning of the airport and the land-use change around the airport in the aerotropolis, and in ... Liverpool, Campbelltown and Penrith.”

Badgerys Creek is stuck in limbo while a decision is made about who will fund and develop the airport. Picture: Phil Rogers

ANYTHING LESS IS A “HUGE BETRAYAL”

Anything less than a full serviced international airport at Badgerys Creek would be a “huge betrayal” of western Sydney residents, according to Werriwa federal Labor MP Anne Stanley.

“We have been promised jobs and infrastructure to service this airport,” Ms Stanley said.

“Delivering anything less would be a huge betrayal.”

Werriwa federal Labor MP Anne Stanley.

Federal Labor transport and infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese also said good planning was essential for the airport’s success.

“There needs to be vision in the planning of the Airport as a catalyst for high value job creation,” Mr Albanese said.

“This is why rail links are necessary from day one.”

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