Singapore Airlines to Be First International Carrier at New Western Sydney Airport
Singapore Airlines has officially become the first international airline to commit to operating flights from the soon-to-be-completed Western Sydney Airport (WSI). This announcement marks a significant milestone for the $5.3 billion project as it nears completion, positioning the new airport as a major hub in Australia’s aviation landscape.
Western Sydney Airport, located in the Greater Sydney area of New South Wales, is on track to open in late 2026. With the recent completion of the terminal building’s roof structure, the project has entered its final phase of internal fit-out, accelerating preparations for the airport’s debut. The facility is designed to serve both domestic and international passengers, as well as freight services, with a single runway and initial capacity to handle 10 million passengers annually.
The airport’s development is planned in stages to meet growing demand. Initially, WSI is expected to accommodate around five million passengers per year, reaching 10 million by approximately 2031. Future expansions, including the addition of a second runway, are anticipated as the airport scales to ultimately support up to 82 million passengers annually by 2063. Upon completion, Western Sydney Airport will be about twice the size of the existing Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), providing much-needed relief to the current airport, which faces significant slot and space constraints.
The commitment from Singapore Airlines was highlighted during a press conference on August 26, 2024, attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Transport Minister Catherine King. Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating that it would “open Western Sydney up to the rest of the world.” He added, “Singapore Airlines is recognizing the opportunity that investing here will bring them. By having Singapore Airlines as the first international airline to commit from overseas to use this airport, it will provide direct access to all the markets Singapore Airlines flies to via Changi Airport.”
Albanese praised Singapore Airlines, noting, “It’s wonderful that Singapore Airlines, one of the world’s best, is the first international airline to choose Western Sydney Airport as one of its bases.” This endorsement reflects the strategic significance of WSI as a new gateway to Australia, particularly for international travelers and businesses.
Western Sydney Airport has been specifically designed to alleviate the congestion at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, which is much closer to downtown Sydney. The new airport will offer round-the-clock operations with no curfew, making it an attractive option for airlines and passengers alike. Singapore Airlines, which currently operates five daily flights to SYD, is expected to expand its operations at WSI, further enhancing its connectivity with the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Transport Minister Catherine King also shared updates on ongoing discussions with other international carriers, including Turkish Airlines and Vietnam Airlines, which have expressed interest in serving WSI in the future. “I’ve got other countries who are talking to me all the time as part of our bilateral negotiations to keep ahead with that capacity and demand,” King stated, emphasizing the growing international interest in Western Sydney Airport.
In addition to Singapore Airlines, the airport has already secured a commercial agreement with Qantas and its budget airline Jetstar to operate domestic flights from WSI. The Australian flag carrier will initially base five aircraft at the airport, with Jetstar adding a further ten planes. Within its first year, WSI is expected to become Qantas Group’s sixth-largest airport in terms of passenger volume.
As Western Sydney Airport prepares for its grand opening in 2026, the involvement of major airlines like Singapore Airlines underscores the airport’s potential to become a key player in the global aviation network.