Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[moa999]

And I suspect the JQ signage will be very much stored at Gate 18.

Is there any background to the somewhat weird numbering?
I assume it's Phase 2 of the expansion would begin to fill in 1-17.

 

[LionKing]

The Australian reported WSI is struggling to sign up new airlines to use them:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/western-sydney-airport-no-airlines-signed-despite-53bn-investment/news-story/47c0802b56f75ec5d8e38bc57a41320c

I doubt if there's many regular travel demands are present at WSI concerning most people who can afford time and money wise to travel are actually in Eastern Suburbs, Sutherland Shire, North Shore, Northern and Northern Beaches.

The Metro is delayed and when completed, it is also a Metro going nowhere where its end point at St Marys is simply not convenient to suburbs such as Parramatta.

There's also no announcement on orders of buses connecting WSI and we are only a year out.

So how can WSI attract airlines to sign up to be honest?

I suppose to make WSI succeed, NSW Government need to immediately purchase 100 - 150 new buses and introduce express from the following points to WSI at frequent and regular intervals:

• Central Station and University of Sydney
• Bondi Junction and UNSW
• Macquarie University, Eastwood and Carlingford
• Chatswood and North Sydney
• Northern Beaches and Manly
• Burwood and Strathfield
• Sutherland Shire and Hurstville

As well as Liverpool, Campbelltown and Parramatta.

This will ensure sufficient catchment of travellers to actually connect with WSI.

 

[HS-TQE]

I don't find that surprising, IMO.

Also, it doesn't help for WSI, that despite having assumed lower costs than SYD, the international LCCs or the South East Asian Hybrid Value Carriers are not in a rush to 'sign up' (either as an add-on to their existing SYD services or as a relocation), though I'd suspect all hybrid/budget carriers would not want to lose their SYD slots either.

Also, the fact that VA has no forthcoming announcements in regards to WSI (ignoring their current situation with their delayed additions to the fleet from Boeing), and the slim possibility that WSI may initially be a QF-group only airport domestically to start off with.

 

[moa999]

doubt if there's many regular travel demands are present at WSI concerning most people who can afford time and money wise to travel are actually in Eastern Suburbs, Sutherland Shire, North Shore, Northern and Northern Beaches.

They aren't the focus catchment for this airport.

Compare travel times from say Penrith and Blacktown..

 

[elanshin]

Id suspect there's multi things at play. For those that haven't broken into the SYD market, there's no rush or need to be with the launch. They're probably eyeing the situation if they did want the Sydney market, but seeing how it functions would be prudent.

Other airlines that "fit" WSI currently don't have the aircraft or capacity to expand.

I still believe its biggest immediate use would be air cargo. Over time as we see more expansion in the Indian space we'll probably see more from there fly to WSI. Maybe other like ZG when they get their refurb 787-9 from JAL might start something up (they've got to be eyeing JQs loads to Japan and want to provide a better option).

The majors probably won't run more than a couple of flights that are designed more as overnight connection flights. As for the other Value/LCC that currently operates SYD, there may still be room for moving if the price is right and demand increases.

 

[moa999]

While a lot of people assume this aircraft should be LCC focussed I don't necessarily see that being the case.

There is no suggestion this is a cheap build (like MEL T4 or the original KUL LCCT) and while there is afaik a subsidy fund for the airlines, the passenger security charges will still be there and I assume similar to SYD.

And we've seen with Avalon v Melbourne and Gold Coast v Brisbane that just having cheaper facilities doesn't necessarily attract airlines.

 

[AuSammy]

Id suspect there's multi things at play. For those that haven't broken into the SYD market, there's no rush or need to be with the launch. They're probably eyeing the situation if they did want the Sydney market, but seeing how it functions would be prudent.

Other airlines that "fit" WSI currently don't have the aircraft or capacity to expand.

I still believe its biggest immediate use would be air cargo. Over time as we see more expansion in the Indian space we'll probably see more from there fly to WSI. Maybe other like ZG when they get their refurb 787-9 from JAL might start something up (they've got to be eyeing JQs loads to Japan and want to provide a better option).

The majors probably won't run more than a couple of flights that are designed more as overnight connection flights. As for the other Value/LCC that currently operates SYD, there may still be room for moving if the price is right and demand increases.

Freight first.

Jetstar testing the waters

When other carriers can't expand due to slot constraints and see all the start up glitches are cleaned up at WSI and running smoothly the trickle will start that raise the interest of others.

Weather events will result in some flights to divert to WSI instead of returning to BNE / MEL / CBR and experience will be gained that it's a not so bad place to land.