Western Sydney spruiks benefits of late night flights after signing first international airline
Could Singapore Airlines’ commitment to fly out of Western Sydney Airport be the precursor to domestic flights by the carrier?
Singapore Airlines’ plan to fly out of Western Sydney Airport when it opens in late 2026 could position the carrier to launch domestic operations in Australia.
The airline was named on Tuesday as the first international customer of the $5.3bn Western Sydney Airport in an announcement attended by the Prime Minister and Transport Minister.
Details of a flight schedule were not released but Western Sydney Airport CEO Simon Hickey suggested a late night departure would mean passengers arrived in Singapore in time for morning meetings the next day.
Aviation consultant and chairman of AvLaw Ron Bartsch said it would make sense for Singapore Airlines to do “what they originally intended with Tigerair” and add domestic services to their significant international capacity in Australia.
Tigerair Australia was a Singapore-owned low cost carrier, that flew domestic routes from 2007 until it was sold to Virgin Australia for $35m in 2012.
Professor Bartsch said there were no barriers to foreign-owned airlines setting up a domestic operation in Australia, and the opening of Western Sydney Airport promised to be a “game changer” for the industry.
“I think that’s the logical conclusion. Sydney Airport has been the Achilles’ heel for anyone wanting to enter the domestic market and now that it’s going to be taken out of the equation, it’s a different ball game altogether,” said Professor Bartsch, a director of Rex.
“Forget about the aviation white paper and all of that. In terms of competition, real competition will come from an airline that’s number one or two in the world against airlines that have been coming number 24 and 54 in the Skytrax ratings.”
Western Sydney Airport declined to comment on any plans by Singapore Airlines to fly domestic routes, indicating that would be a matter for the carrier and the federal government.
Other international airlines were also believed to be in discussions with the new airport, including Qatar Airways and Emirates, but no commitments had yet been made.
It’s understood a financial incentive was offered by Western Sydney to Singapore Airlines to sign on as the first overseas operator. Neither party would comment, saying those matters were “commercial-in-confidence”.
Mr Hickey said they were getting a “positive response from airlines, especially in regard to the unprecedented opportunities the airport’s 24 hour capability unlocks”.
The lack of curfew at Western Sydney Airport was seen as a considerable advantage over Kingsford Smith, due to the longstanding curfew from 11pm to 6am.
The new airport which was more than 80 per cent complete, included a “combined international and domestic terminal” to give customers a seamless transfer experience.
Singapore Airlines’ south west Pacific regional vice president Louis Arul said the agreement with Western Sydney reflected their commitment to enhancing network connectivity for travellers and providing additional services for Australia.
“We are working closely with WSI to ensure that our customers will continue to enjoy the comprehensive, end-to-end, world-class experience that is synonymous with Singapore Airlines,” he said.
Anthony Albanese welcomed Singapore Airlines’ deal with Western Sydney, saying it showed the airport had a “bright future”.
“From Singapore’s Marina Bay to Sydney’s Badgerys Creek, this shows the bright future ahead for Western Sydney International,” said Mr Albanese.
“Connecting Western Sydney with the world, while boosting jobs, skills and opportunities right across this region.”
The parties first signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia also have MoUs with Western Sydney with the intention of providing domestic flights from the airport when it opened.
Executive Traveller editor David Flynn said with a catchment area of some 3 million people living within an hour of the airport, “people should not underestimate WSI’s potential”.
“That population incudes plenty of money, plenty of middle-class couples and families who are eager to travel, plus suburbs with plenty of people from the likes of the Philippines and India who’ll flock to convenient flights from WSI,” said Mr Flynn.
Qantas in landing gear scare
The airline acknowledged it could have been an “unsettling” experience for those on board.
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