Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[Saab34]

Brand new and only built for 100 instead of 110?

Driving through Europe last year and almost all motorways were 130 with some sections 120.

Are Australian drivers capable of driving at such speeds? Some of the nonsense I regularly see on the roads that are 100 is bad enough.

The issue with 120/130 in Oz is I know most will sit 5-10 below the limit which is annoying.

 

[Quickstatus]

Brand new and only built for 100 instead of 110?

When the M7 motorway was built, the speed limit was also 100

 

[pauly7]

Air New Zealand is scheduled to start WSI-AKL flights in mid 2027.

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/western-sydney-international-lands-air-new-zealand

The state NZ are in at the moment, wouldn’t be at all surprised if this didn’t eventuate / didn’t last long.

 

[LionKing]

Went down the M12 motorway today and I saw the sphere structure at the airport intersection.

100kmh speed limit except towards the end. 25 mins from Liverpool.

How long did it take from M7 intersection to the end of M12?
I think from SYD to WSI, it does take about 35-40 minutes with M8, M5, M7 and M12, however it will ballon to 75 minutes during peak hours.
Perhaps if that's the case, Qantas can do SYD-WSI transfers on a single ticket with MCT of 120-150 minutes for domestic, and 180 minutes for international-domestic v.v.?

 

[http_x92]

How long did it take from M7 intersection to the end of M12?

From the Elizabeth Drive entrance, probably takes 10-15 to get there.

From SYD-WSI, 40-45 minutes sounds about right with clear traffic.

 

[dajop]

Not sure why there would be a need for QF operated WSI/sYD transfers. Different markets. People who transfer between the two are only going to do so for lower fares.

Globally AA doesn’t run a transfer bus from JFK to LGA, BA won’t get you from LHR to LGW. JL and NH don’t operate shuttles between HND and NRT. AF leaves you to get between ORY and CDG. Often there will be shuttles/ bus services operated independently but can’t think of any that are airline operated.

 

[HS-TQE]

Agreed, that's just like QF/VA/JQ running "transfer buses" between MCY/OOL and BNE.

It seems that WSI hasn't been convincing in attracting airlines for their launch months apart from QF/JQ and SQ (which has been confirmed in earlier posts in this thread of posting a WSI specific promo early).

Despite "newspaper analysts" from various News Corp and 9media rags saying that VA are 'missing out' by not launching WSI on launch day, VA's planners dont seem convinced (as evidenced by their planned mid 2026 modest flight increases elsewhere ex SYD and MEL/CBR) despite the NSW government subsidies on offer for VA to start some WSI flights.

 

[jase05]

Agreed, that's just like QF/VA/JQ running "transfer buses" between MCY/OOL and BNE.

It seems that WSI hasn't been convincing in attracting airlines for their launch months apart from QF/JQ and SQ (which has been confirmed in earlier posts in this thread of posting a WSI specific promo early).

Despite "newspaper analysts" from various News Corp and 9media rags saying that VA are 'missing out' by not launching WSI on launch day, VA's planners dont seem convinced (as evidenced by their planned mid 2026 modest flight increases elsewhere ex SYD and MEL/CBR) despite the NSW government subsidies on offer for VA to start some WSI flights.

VA doesn’t have the freight dollars to help subsidise.
QF/JQ have the cream contracts especially with APG

I think VA will sit back and watch for a while

 

[hutch]

Meanwhile, this may have already been discussed... Any news on lounges at WSI?

 

[HS-TQE]

Meanwhile, this may have already been discussed... Any news on lounges at WSI?

Assumedly a QF domestic lounge and I'm guessing a third party lounge (contracted by SQ and assumedly NZ), both before international security.

My reasoning is that there won't be enough international departures to justify a lounge post international security, and I can't see SQ bothering with a dedicated lounge.

 

[moa999]

The few videos shown seemed to suggest common check-in downstairs then upstairs for separate international and domestic security which would suggest international airside is fully separated (unlike CBR, OOL and PER T3/4).. sonid think any international lounge has to be airside.

Might be wrong. So little info has come out

 

[kamchatsky]

I wonder with the current Gulf War, airlines would postpone operations of WSI flights? Afterall, more and more airlines are now cutting flights due to higher oil prices.

 

[HS-TQE]

I wonder with the current Gulf War, airlines would postpone operations of WSI flights? Afterall, more and more airlines are now cutting flights due to higher oil prices.

I'd say a slower build up of QF/JQ hub operatuons at the worst. But my guess is that QF group are hoping the events in question will subside by the start of NW26/27.

VA is likely to continue to hold off on WSI for the short term as they don't seem too convinced to start operations on Day 1 despite being offered subsidies by WSI and the NSW government to send just 1 plane offering at least 3x daily services in the spirit of conpetition.

 

[clifford]

VA is likely to continue to hold off on WSI for the short term as they don't seem too convinced to start operations on Day 1 despite being offered subsidies by WSI and the NSW government to send just 1 plane offering at least 3x daily services in the spirit of conpetition.

At least that's one smart move VA has made (as opposed to some of its other moves).

 

[SYD]

At least that's one smart move VA has made (as opposed to some of its other moves).

They’re already potentially missing out on domestic connections to/from SQ.

If more VA partners decide to fly to WSI, they’ll look even more lame. Assuming they survive the current QR wet lease fiasco.

 

[HS-TQE]

They’re already potentially missing out on domestic connections to/from SQ.

If more VA partners decide to fly to WSI, they’ll look even more lame. Assuming they survive the current QR wet lease fiasco.

SQ doesn't rely on VA for feed as often as they did pre-Covid. The increased flights into CNS and DRW are a few examples of this.

SQ's WSI flights are largely O&D and any VA connections are already handled through their larger SYD base.

Considering it's roughtly 7 months before opening for pax operations, any other international carriers apart from SQ (and NZ in 2027) seems to be less likely, and any announcements from international carriers from mid this year is likely for be for a 2027 start.

 

[dajop]

They’re already potentially missing out on domestic connections to/from SQ.

In addition to @HS-TQE 's points, WSI is probably mainly going initially focus on MEL & BNE - I think Vanessa Hudson actually suggested as much for QF mainline. Therefore if VA mirrored this, there wouldn't be really much feed for SQ from either city - who have early evening and late evening services already out of BNE and MEL.

 

[gethsemene]

I believe the pipeline isn't done for WSI, which means every litre of currently very expensive Jet 1 will have to be tankered in using VERY expensive diesel. If the current mess doesn't sort itself out, I can see WSI getting off to a rocky start until that pipeline is finished.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I believe the pipeline isn't done for WSI,

Funny description for the metro tunnel to the airport ...

 

[markis10]

every litre of currently very expensive Jet 1 will have to be tankered in using VERY expensive diesel.

Plenty of airports have the same situation and cope, tankering adds maybe 1% to the base costs of JetA1, not a biggie