Look inside Western Sydney’s new airport: photos

With the construction phase of Western Sydney’s new airport almost complete, The Daily Telegraph takes a look inside the state-of-the-art facility. SEE THE PHOTOS

Every aspect of running an airport from security to baggage handling is being pressure tested as Western Sydney Airport prepares for take-off.

Airport chief executive Simon Hickey said the construction phase was almost over and the airport now had a year of testing for every possible eventuality of operation.

“My executive team had a crisis management exercise last week where we were told an intruder had broken into an area of the airport and was holding people to ransom,” he said.

The team had to work out what to do and who to contact as part of a rigorous training program that will be conducted across every level of the airport.

“We are building a muscle that we are going to flex every day,” he said. “We plan the day out and know that plan is just the beginning, it will change immediately.”

Western Sydney Airport will eventually handle 80 million passengers a year.

Pictures: Thomas Lisson

The airport is on track to open in 2026.

Mr Hickey said the greenfield airport had more than 70 state-of-the-art integrated systems including smart aerobridges and a 5km long baggage conveyor belt which made it “one of the best airports in Australia today”.

“This is an airport built for the next century,” Mr Hickey said.

A terminal at Western Sydney Airport.

Pictures: Thomas Lisson

Western Sydney Airport worker Cristina Assuncao and Tour Construction Forman Lachlan Falato on the tarmac. Picture: Thomas Lisson

The airport, which will cater for 10 million passengers a year, is on track to open for international, domestic and air cargo services in 2026 after every aspect of operation has been tested and tested again.

It will eventually handle more than 80 million passengers a year.

Western Sydney Airport will cater for international, domestic and air cargo services.

Qantas will base 15 domestic aircraft at the airport.

The airport pictured in December. Picture: Supplied

Singapore Airlines has signed on as the first international carrier at the airport and is building a luxury lounge for premium passengers while Qantas will base 15 domestic aircraft at the airport.

Discussions are currently being held with almost 30 other international airlines.

“I think there is a real buzz around the airport now. When you look through the terminal it is fantastic and I am just really excited to get people to come here and experience it for themselves,” he said.

Future Western Sydney will be streamed online on April 4.

The anticipation is also building for the workers at the airport.

Site foreman Lachlan Falato is delighted to see his work supervising the apron around the airbridges coming to a close while school leaver Cristina Assuncao is now beginning training in the airport control centre.

“It is an amazing opportunity,” she said.

“I am nervous but very excited.”

This article is part of the Future Western Sydney series, which is proudly supported by Clubs NSW, Powerhouse, Transurban, Walker Corp, Western Sydney International Airport and Western Sydney University

Originally published as Look inside Western Sydney’s new airport: photos