Cargo industry invited to be part of Australia’s new global gateway
06 MAY 2021
The Australian and international air cargo industry is being invited to register their interest in the commercial development of cargo operations at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
Western Sydney Airport CEO Simon Hickey said the release of the ROI is a unique opportunity for the air cargo industry to become a part of what will become one of Australia’s most important air cargo hubs.
“It’s now time to build on the insights we’ve gained from early engagement with our air cargo MOU partners by moving into this important new phase of industry engagement,” Mr Hickey said.
“Our highly connected air cargo precinct will serve a community of air cargo operators and handlers, with direct airside access and 24-hour operations enabling efficient access to global markets.
“COVID-19 has accelerated growth in demand for air cargo and with Western Sydney International on track to begin operations in 2026, we’re well placed to offer the industry a platform for growth and innovation for decades to come.”
Air cargo operators will be able to establish a made-to-measure presence at Western Sydney International, with room to upscale their facilities as their operations grow with the market.
The first stage of Western Sydney International’s cargo precinct will include a dedicated cargo vehicle access point off the Northern Road to approximately 75,000 square metres of cargo terminals, with room to expand from 18 to 54 hectares of developable land.
The first stage of Western Sydney International’s air cargo precinct will process around 220,000 tonnes of cargo from both the holds of passenger aircraft and in dedicated air freighters, with the potential to grow to handle 1.8 million tonnes of air cargo annually in the future.
“Western Sydney International’s air cargo precinct is strategically located close to major logistics centres and is connected by billions of dollars of investment in upgraded arterial roads and the new M12 motorway,” Mr Hickey said.
“Developing a greenfield airport gives the air cargo industry an unprecedented opportunity to take advantage of a flexible and future-proof layout that can respond to changing demands and new market opportunities.
“Designed to grow in stages, the Western Sydney International air cargo precinct will offer customers the chance to establish their presence and retain the ability to scale their facilities as markets grow.”
The cargo precinct will include loading, staging and apron areas, taxiways, ground level parking, a truck staging area catering for b-double access and manoeuvring and options for dedicated aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul hangers, to reduce operational disruption.
Registrations of interest are sought specifically from existing cargo terminal operators, as well as organisations engaged in operating or handling air cargo at major airports, who require their own standalone facility for processing air cargo.