Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[elanshin]

Riddle me this. The runway is done (painted, lights in and operating), the terminal built (“looks like it could already welcome planes”). Yet it’s still not due to open until 2026? Why .

I appreciate that air safety and certification etc takes time but that does seem to be a long time.

For one this was a planned timeline a decade ago so being on time is a solidly good thing.

It could also be like metro phase 2, everything was looking like it was going ahead of schedule then suddenly slips a bit.

If thr airport truly became ready by mid to late 2025 I'd imagine they would look to alter the opening date.

 

[ayebee]

if you want to monitor progress this guy has been doing drone videos for ages
Big JayDog Adventures

 

[kamchatsky]

With the news below where 1 single broken rail causing so much extensive delays throughout the network (and Metro uneffected) it really shows that connecting WSI with Metro is the completely correct decision.

Trains cancelled, ‘extensive delays’ after urgent repairs at Central

Sydney’s train delays are continuing after a broken rail at Central Station plunged the network into chaos.

www.smh.com.au

 

[serfty]

I Remember in late 1994 when I first started frequent traveling; commuting weekly between MEL & SYD.

The third runway was complete - physically but they could not run parallel ops efficiently yet as the ATC system upgrades had not been completed - it was going to take another 6 months.

But, there was a state election coming up so the third runway was opened for aircraft operations anyway; thereby cutting peak capacity by 20%.

I had eight flights that November/December, each departing MEL Sundays and SYD Fridays at 6pm.

Average delay during that period was over 2 hours with 2 of the flights departing on time.

The QP was the best investment I had made to that date.

 

[SYD]

With the news below where 1 single broken rail causing so much extensive delays throughout the network (and Metro uneffected) it really shows that connecting WSI with Metro is the completely correct decision.

Trains cancelled, ‘extensive delays’ after urgent repairs at Central

Sydney’s train delays are continuing after a broken rail at Central Station plunged the network into chaos.

www.smh.com.au

Alas, it could have been a bit of metro track (although less likely from an age, wear and fatigue perspective). That would have taken out all Metro services.

Not all heavy rail lines were impacted. Only those using the common bit of track. So an important consideration with future Metro lines (yes, please).

 

[SeatBackForward]

it really shows that connecting WSI with Metro is the completely correct decision

I would really argue the term connected. The Western Sydney Airport metro will essentially be, for a long time to come, a shuttle between the airport ant St Mary's station. Great if you live anywhere on the line itself. But then you're essentially back onto the Sydney Trains Line to go anywhere. The missing bits into the rest of the Metro network are whats required. That or something like the Express trains in Hong Kong or London going into the City ...but even less chance of that happening.

 

[moa999]

Broken rail can happen on any system.

Of more note on WSI some recent video renders of the line stations suggest the M2 line will now take the reserved western path which suggests an extension to Leppington (and interchange) or ultimately Glenfield is possibly more likely.

Versus Campbelltown/ Macarthur which might be reserved for a future Metro West (M3) extension to the airport.

 

[moa999]

But then you're essentially back onto the Sydney Trains Line to go anywhere

Which isn't imho an issue.. as described by RMTransit Sydney's "Metros" are really just a Sydney Trains 2.0 (i.e a hybrid suburban/ rapid system) just with a few more features that make them Metro like

If the Tangara replacement (likely for T4) is single deck, three door per carriage with screen doors at many stations but still with a driver (given interaction with South Coast train).. is that a metro or a train. Remember until the 1970s Sydney's system was mostly single deck trains.

 

[p--and--t]

Philippine Airlines and VietJet look to community connection near Western Sydney Airport - Travel Weekly

Philippine Airlines and VietJet to explore services to Western Sydney Airport given its proximity to the Filipino and Vietnamese diaspora.

travelweekly.com.au

 

[justinbrett]

Qantas Freight has become the first cargo airline to sign on to using WSI. Not entirely surprising.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-freight-joins-western-sydney-international-airports-new-24-hour-cargo-precinct/

 

[jase05]

Qantas Freight has become the first cargo airline to sign on to using WSI. Not entirely surprising.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-freight-joins-western-sydney-international-airports-new-24-hour-cargo-precinct/

Not surprising as freight has been one of the key drivers and we have known for some time that we will be the first ones in there

 

[RooFlyer]

Interesting snippet from VA's QR announcement today. I'm not sure if the second para flows from the first, or if the first is open-ended (as in, using WSI for their "Sydney" VA flights to DOH).

Ms Hrdlicka noted that she was particularly excited by the potential to expand the two airlines’ relationship into new areas such as sustainability and development of the western Sydney aviation ecosystem, including broader jobs and training opportunities.

“Sustainable Aviation Fuel will play a critical role in aviation’s long-term decarbonisation effort. Virgin Australia has been an active participant in the Federal Government’s Jet Zero Council, and we expect our partnership with Qatar Airways to support SAF opportunities in a manner consistent with the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda,” she said.

 

[justinbrett]

Interesting snippet from VA's QR announcement today. I'm not sure if the second para flows from the first, or if the first is open-ended (as in, using WSI for their "Sydney" VA flights to DOH).

With respect I think this a great example of saying all the right things whilst committing to absolutely nothing. “Development of the western Sydney aviation ecosystem” - what the hell is that? That could mean anything. Or nothing.

I can’t see any of their DOH services moving to WSI.

 

[kamchatsky]

With respect I think this a great example of saying all the right things whilst committing to absolutely nothing. “Development of the western Sydney aviation ecosystem” - what the hell is that? That could mean anything. Or nothing.

I can’t see any of their DOH services moving to WSI.

The key word is "potential". They can write anything after it and they don't have to do anything with it.

 

[RooFlyer]

With respect I think this a great example of saying all the right things whilst committing to absolutely nothing. “Development of the western Sydney aviation ecosystem” - what the hell is that? That could mean anything. Or nothing.

I can’t see any of their DOH services moving to WSI.

Agree it commits to nothing (what announcement does these days ) but its still interesting that western Sydney was mentioned; why? Looks to me like some carrot may be offered to the government to approve the investment. Climate action!

Can't see any QR services moving to WSI either, but what about the new VA services from Sydney to DOH? Would the slots be available for those additional flights from SYD? Again, some grease for the approval processes - look, we are going to use the shiny new airport, jobs, blah blah. That way also, the new VA service wouldn't compete head-to-head with QR's service from Sydney.

EDIT: I guess there may be a gap between WSI availability and the Sydney services, if the touted commencement sticks. But the intention will be there

 

[jrfsp]

The only way QR/VA would operate WSI-DOH is if it was excluded from the bi-lateral which it doesnt seem to be.

Freight movements however.....

 

[jase05]

With respect I think this a great example of saying all the right things whilst committing to absolutely nothing. “Development of the western Sydney aviation ecosystem” - what the hell is that? That could mean anything. Or nothing.

I can’t see any of their DOH services moving to WSI.

IPerhaps they are looking at freight options

 

[Harrison_133]

Can't see any QR services moving to WSI either, but what about the new VA services from Sydney to DOH? Would the slots be available for those additional flights from SYD? Again, some grease for the approval processes - look, we are going to use the shiny new airport, jobs, blah blah.

Perhaps unrelated, but I wonder what VA have planned for domestic flights out of WSI...

 

[elanshin]

Perhaps unrelated, but I wonder what VA have planned for domestic flights out of WSI...

They should. If they don't then that's just giving the buck all over to QF Group.

 

[jase05]

They should. If they don't then that's just giving the buck all over to QF Group.

They will most certainly be flying domestically out of there.