Ex-Qantas executive Simon Hickey named CEO of Western Sydney Airport

Western Sydney Airport has appointed a former Qantas executive to steer the project to its 2026 completion date.

An engineer watches as earthmovers carve out the runway at the Badgerys Creek Creek Construction site of Western Sydney Airport. Picture: John Appleyard

A former Qantas executive has taken the reins of Western Sydney Airport, which remains on track to open in late 2026.

Simon Hickey spent 11 years with Qantas in a variety of roles, including as Qantas international and freight CEO and head of the frequent flyer scheme.

He was previously chief financial officer at Lendlease, and serves on the board of International Airlines Group Loyalty and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

Western Sydney Airport chair Paul O’Sullivan said an international search had been undertaken to replace former CEO Graham Millett, who left in June to pursue other opportunities.

“Western Sydney Airport has a very positive profile in local and overseas aviation markets, which led to a very high level of interest in the CEO role from candidates across the world,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“It’s a great outcome that we found the best person to lead one of the nation’s most significant infrastructure projects here in Australia.”

Simon Hickey. Picture: Britta Campion

Despite the shocks to the aviation industry as a result of the COVID crisis, Western Sydney Airport’s opening in six years time appears set to coincide with the full recovery of air travel.

Construction has continued unabated at the Badgerys Creek Creek site throughout recent months, focusing on earthworks moving one million cubic metres of earth a month.

The next step is finalising the design of the airport’s integrated international and domestic passenger terminal, and appointing a contractor to build the new gateway.

Mr Hickey said taking on the top job at the airport as the project entered a critical stage of delivery promised to be a “challenging and rewarding experience”.

“Introducing choice to Sydney’s aviation market is a compelling proposition and one that will lead to stronger outcomes for passengers, airlines and air cargo operators,” Mr Hickey said.

“My focus will be not only on building the infrastructure, but on building the commercial proposition around passenger aviation, air cargo and our on-airport business park.”

He said as well as delivering an alternative to Sydney Airport, the project would be a catalyst for jobs and investment in western Sydney.

Construction of the terminal at Western Sydney Airport is due to begin in late 2021, based on the winning design of Zaha Hadid Architects and Cox Architecture.