First look inside Western Sydney’s new international airport terminal

The first glimpse of Australia’s gateway to the world has been released – but not everyone is happy with our new airport.

Sydney’s new international airport is not set to open for another seven years, but the designs for the new terminal have been released.

Western Sydney Airport, which will be built in Badgerys Creek by 2026, will be designed by architects from Sydney and London. The $5.3 billion airport will be covered in greenery – with vertical gardens, timber ceilings, shops, restaurants and even entertaining spaces.

These are the first images of the new Western Sydney Airport.

“While the exterior of the terminal complements the natural landscape beautifully, we’ve always said that our focus was on the customer journey within the terminal and that really shines through in these concept designs,” Western Sydney Airport chief executive Graham Millett told The Daily Telegraph of the winning design.

The Federal Government dubbed the terminal a “once-in-a-generation infrastructure project coming to life”, describing the two runways and leafy backdrop as Australia’s gateway to the world.

“This is set to be the largest gateway to Australia and these designs are another step to making it a reality,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

The exterior of the terminal complements the natural landscape.

The airport will have two runways.

While the construction at the airport site has been underway since 2018, the major earthworks won’t start until next year.

But while the artist’s impressions of the new airport have been released, locals have still not been able to see the facility’s flight paths – which won’t be made available until 2021.

But not everyone is excited by the newly released plans.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said the release of the terminal images was “insulting” to those who were still in the dark about whether they would be under a flight path – which would not have a curfew.

“It’s hard not to conclude that there’s some tactic in this,” he told the ABC.

“Rush to get the thing built, rush to get as many things finished as possible, so it’s a fait accompli.”

Not everyone is impressed with the release of the terminal design at Western Sydney Airport.

Designers from London’s Zaha Hadid Architects and Sydney’s Cox Architecture are at the helm of the concept after being selected from more than 40 entrants.

Construction of the actual terminal isn’t set to begin until 2022 and will feature landscaped gardens framing a giant public plaza, timber ceiling and vertical gardens – which will be inspired by local flora unique to Western Sydney.

“The layout of the terminal will come together with technology and outstanding customer service to give passengers a reliable, fun and stress-free airport experience,” Mr Millett said.