Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[dajop]

An article in Channel 9 media today, for those who have subscription or know how to beat the paywall:

There’s one big thing missing from Australia’s first new airport in 50 years

The first new major capital city airport for decades, the supposed game-changer for air travel, is about to open. But where are the flights?

www.theage.com.au

Goes through various limitations (lack of train) etc but concludes " The big hurdle WSI needs to overcome is the lack of international destinations"

It does have 2 already (SIN, AKL) , and Vietjet suggesting a third (BKK). But it also only has 3 domestic destinations so far too - BNE, MEL & OOL, maybe more domestic destinations and lack of frequency of those that are there might be big hurdles as well!

In any event another little insight is the bus to Parramatta, Central Station and SYD T2/3. Priced at $25/$55/$65 one way to those destinations respectively ($60, $140, $170) for a family. (right at the moment it is $90-110 on Didi, so if there were 2 of you I know which I'd be choosing).

www.supershuttle.com.au

 

[Scarlett]

Surprised there has been no announcement regarding parking fees, and retail/food opening dates given the airport opens for passenger traffic next month!

I’ll take a guess:

PARKING
1 hour - an arm
1+ hours - a leg

CONCESSIONAIRES


CAFE
️ $8
$13
$17
$6.50

FAUX IRISH PUB
$16.80

 

[LionKing]

An article in Channel 9 media today, for those who have subscription or know how to beat the paywall:

There’s one big thing missing from Australia’s first new airport in 50 years

The first new major capital city airport for decades, the supposed game-changer for air travel, is about to open. But where are the flights?

www.theage.com.au

Goes through various limitations (lack of train) etc but concludes " The big hurdle WSI needs to overcome is the lack of international destinations"

It does have 2 already (SIN, AKL) , and Vietjet suggesting a third (BKK). But it also only has 3 domestic destinations so far too - BNE, MEL & OOL, maybe more domestic destinations and lack of frequency of those that are there might be big hurdles as well!

In any event another little insight is the bus to Parramatta, Central Station and SYD T2/3. Priced at $25/$55/$65 one way to those destinations respectively ($60, $140, $170) for a family. (right at the moment it is $90-110 on Didi, so if there were 2 of you I know which I'd be choosing).

www.supershuttle.com.au

$25 Parramatta to WSI is reasonable.
If people can brace themselves for the train to Parra this maybe the best option to WSI.

 

[SCM]

You can go much longer distance on the metro which is much cheaper (despite it's construction cost), I don't really get why a bus would Parramatta to WSI should cost more than $5.

The government made the mistake of giving the train stations to SYD to charge BS prices for trains to the airport, now what is their excuse with WSI? They have an opportunity to right that wrong - maybe even do a free shuttle for now to get the airport usage up.

 

[PineappleSkip]

You can go much longer distance on the metro which is much cheaper (despite it's construction cost),

Don't understand this. When the metro goes, it will go to St Marys, not further.

I don't really get why a bus would Parramatta to WSI should cost more than $5.

Private operator seeing a gap in the market. Fare to Parramatta similar to Skybus at MEL.
There are also Opal fare buses already operating to Penrith, Mt Druitt, Liverpool, and Campbelltown. I priced WSI to Liverpool and the adult fare is $4.03. As I write this, there's a bus in 5 minutes.

The government made the mistake of giving the train stations to SYD to charge BS prices for trains to the airport, now what is their excuse with WSI?
They have an opportunity to right that wrong - maybe even do a free shuttle for now to get the airport usage up.

There is a free shuttle bus to St Marys pending the opening of the metro.

 

[LionKing]

You can go much longer distance on the metro which is much cheaper (despite it's construction cost), I don't really get why a bus would Parramatta to WSI should cost more than $5.

The government made the mistake of giving the train stations to SYD to charge BS prices for trains to the airport, now what is their excuse with WSI? They have an opportunity to right that wrong - maybe even do a free shuttle for now to get the airport usage up.

Watch out, I would expect the government to slug you extra for this train.

 

[markis10]

Watch out, I would expect the government to slug you extra for this train.

They don’t anywhere else, so an unfounded baseless comment, especially as the operator hasn’t gone bankrupt requiring revised public/private agreements with a new owner.

 

[UP4014]

You can go much longer distance on the metro which is much cheaper (despite it's construction cost), I don't really get why a bus would Parramatta to WSI should cost more than $5.

The government made the mistake of giving the train stations to SYD to charge BS prices for trains to the airport, now what is their excuse with WSI? They have an opportunity to right that wrong - maybe even do a free shuttle for now to get the airport usage up.

Correct, I'd hazard a guess that the WSI will charge each bus a couple of hundred to pull through the gate.

 

[moa999]

The government made the mistake of giving the train stations to SYD to charge BS prices for trains to the airport,

SYD Airport has never owned the train line..
Construction was partially funded by AirportLink (a distinct entity) at a time when the government was out of money due to all the other Olympic expenditure, in return for a concession over four stations until mid-2030.

Without that private agreement we might still not have an airport station and certainly wouldn't have had it for the Olympics.

The agreement has been subsequently modified so the government rather than The public pays the station fee for Mascot and Green Square.

 

[Be.au]

The Fiji Airways flights are expected to take off from WSI at 11.55pm and arrive at Nadi just before 5am.

The three weekly services will run Monday, Friday and Sunday, operating 737 MAX 8 aircraft, starting on March 19, 2027. The planes have eight business class seats and 162 economy seats.

Fiji Airways to feed tourism boom through Western Sydney Airport

The airline will be the sixth carrier to commit to flying from the new airport. Across town, Sydney Airport will welcome EgyptAir in 2027.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Superbird]

Fiji Airways to feed tourism boom through Western Sydney Airport

The airline will be the sixth carrier to commit to flying from the new airport. Across town, Sydney Airport will welcome EgyptAir in 2027.

www.smh.com.au

Horrendous flight time to Nadi. Who wants a 4-5 hour red eye? The price is nowhere near cheap enough to justify it. Are these airlines really serious about giving WSI a shot of success ?

 

[LionKing]

Horrendous flight time to Nadi. Who wants a 4-5 hour red eye? The price is nowhere near cheap enough to justify it. Are these airlines really serious about giving WSI a shot of success ?

I tried it. It was so tired by the time you arrive Nadi.
However it was super helpful if you transfer to Suva.
Mind you, many HKers do fly 4 hrs red eye to Japan and Korea for their weekend!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Horrendous flight time to Nadi. Who wants a 4-5 hour red eye? The price is nowhere near cheap enough to justify it. Are these airlines really serious about giving WSI a shot of success ?

Certainly not one to attract families with kids for sure! Land that early and still not be able to check in to hotels etc..

HOWEVER, if the intention is to make it a stop for connecting services on FJ to elsewhere, it might just work.

 

[kamchatsky]

Horrendous flight time to Nadi. Who wants a 4-5 hour red eye? The price is nowhere near cheap enough to justify it. Are these airlines really serious about giving WSI a shot of success ?

It would be popular for the Fijians and Islanders who wants to save time and see their family members. Finish work at night, go to WSI, and first thing next morning seeing their relatives at Fiji.

 

[Superbird]

It would be popular for the Fijians and Islanders who wants to save time and see their family members. Finish work at night, go to WSI, and first thing next morning seeing their relatives at Fiji.

I suppose. Hopefully there’s enough of a market for that. I had the family with young children/leisure hat on lol

 

[dajop]

It would be popular for the Fijians and Islanders who wants to save time and see their family members. Finish work at night, go to WSI, and first thing next morning seeing their relatives at Fiji.

Depending on day, in addition to Suva, might be good for connections to Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu plus some other Fiji destinations.

 

[Saab34]

I thought they might have dumped Cairns and used that aircraft for a daytime slot. Seems like they are hesitant like a few others in walking away from QLD subsidies.

 

[Blackadder]

Seems a no brainer with the Pacific Islander population in Western Sydney, even if not just flying to NAN , onward connections to other Pacific Island locations.

 

[moa999]

And even for tourists going to some of the far island resorts, often the only ferry is in the mornings, so this early arrival means they don't have to spend a night around Denarau.

 

[jase05]

Depending on day, in addition to Suva, might be good for connections to Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu plus some other Fiji destinations.

Yeah, think this is a plus. Some good connections to to domestic flights and nearby countries. Think it will be good for those in the region