International airlines loving the 24/7 operations planned for Sydney’s second airport

Western Sydney airport has a $16 million war chest and the promise of “no curfew operations” to get international carriers on board and ready to fly when the new facility opens late next year.

A $16 million war chest has Western Sydney International Airport armed to recruit overseas airlines for its long-awaited opening late next year.

The fighting fund will underwrite a range of incentives for international carriers to fly into an airport with no curfew and capacity to process 10 million passengers a year.

Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey confirmed top-level talks are underway and a recent global tour confirmed interest from overseas operators.

“Everyone is paying attention … our 24 hour capability is resonating strongly,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

To accelerate negotiations, the NSW Government has matched the airport dollar for dollar to create the kitty for attracting international carriers.

The arrivals terminal at Western Sydney airport, which is due to open late next year. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Hickey declined to confirm the airlines on his radar, saying discussions remained confidential.

But Asian operators such as Air India, IndiGo, Vietnam Airlines and a range of Chinese airlines are understood to be initial targets as they best align with Western Sydney demographics.

High numbers of Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese residents living in the west would have outgoing flights more accessible while incoming Asian passengers aiming to visit friends or family would be nearer their destinations.

Funding from the package will deliver passenger subsidies and marketing support with the aim to expand the city’s overall flight schedule – not poach existing traffic from Sydney Airport at Mascot.

“We’re about growing the market, growing the pie, bringing more people into Sydney,” Mr Hickey said. “We are also about jobs opportunities for people closer to their homes (in Sydney’s west).”

Qantas and Jetstar have confirmed they will run domestic operations and Singapore Airlines are on board to fly internationally from the first major airport built in Australia since Tullamarine in 1970.

Western Sydney Airport is negotiating to bring international carriers into its schedule ahead of a 2026 opening. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Operating 24/7, the airport is also a key pillar in the state government’s plans to increase visitor expenditure to $91 billion by 2035.

Latest data from Tourism Research Australia showed domestic and international travellers contributed a record $53 billion to the NSW economy for the year ending 30 June 2024.

To reach that stated target in 11 years, the government will need a 70 per cent increase in visitor expenditure.

Tourism and Jobs Minister John Graham said: “You only get to open a new airport once, that’s why we’re backing this airport to land new routes and ensure a once in a generation opportunity is a runway success.

“The more passengers we can bring in, the more spending (there will be) across Western Sydney’s incredible food precincts, the sights of the Blue Mountains and food and wine in the Central West.

“This is also the key jobs opportunity for Western Sydney and we want it to take off as fast as possible.”

Airline tickets for flights at the new airport will go on sale in late 2025.

Originally published as International airlines loving the 24/7 operations planned for Sydney’s second airport