Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[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.