Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[jase05]

Does VA contract out any freight anymore? I recall pre collapse they had some Bae 146s on contract.

Nah, VAH gets pretty much no domestic freight these days. TNT used them a bit before FedEx took over and now FedEx send their freight on QF. They only have a small amount of freight moving domestically though much like DHL.

 

[moa999]

How many freighter aircraft per day are expected to transfer to WSI in the initial months?
Presumably almost all evening activities?

 

[jase05]

How many freighter aircraft per day are expected to transfer to WSI in the initial months?
Presumably almost all evening activities?

Pretty much all the domestic ones will be out there from the get go.

 

[SYD]

Pretty much all the domestic ones will be out there from the get go.

Presumably all / most the international stuff also?

 

[clifford]

OK, we seem to agree that WSI will be a good cargo airport.

Federal Govt, job well done.

 

[jase05]

Presumably all / most the international stuff also?

I look after the domestic side of things but from my understanding International could take over a decade to fully move out there but hopefully they gear up quicker

 

[Melburnian1]

Its safe to say VA won't be basing any aircraft or crew in WSI anytime soon, if ever. Chances of them doing a "night stop" for crews from interstate bases (paying for accom for overnighting crew) is also pretty low as well.

Where is the nearest accommodation of a suitable standard for airline crews?

Penrith? Parramatta?

 

[jase05]

Where is the nearest accommodation of a suitable standard for airline crews?

Penrith? Parramatta?

The Courtyard Marriott WSI should be open by time passenger flights commence. If not then I guess maybe the Mercure at Liverpool or something in Penrith

 

[moa999]

Nothing close at the moment. Atura and Marriot reportedly building at WSI afaik.

Mercure Liverpool and Penrith.
Some 5* at Parramatta and IC under construction
Maybe MGallery Warwick Farm.

Only the SQ crew for initial period.

 

[dajop]

Its safe to say VA won't be basing any aircraft or crew in WSI anytime soon, if ever. Chances of them doing a "night stop" for crews from interstate bases (paying for accom for overnighting crew) is also pretty low as well.

If they wanted to take a tentative step into the market, it wouldn't be too difficult to get MEL and BNE crews to do returns - up and back would just take what 4.5 hours max.? That would be a low cost, low risk method of entry. See how JQ and QF perform first, then if warranted utilise other bases to serve the airportbefore committing too much. Wait and see approach for the less dominant player in the market makes a lot of sense.

 

[Saab34]

VA do a lot of overnights at regional and even city ports, overnight an aircraft for a 7am departure wouldn’t be a surprised

 

[SYD]

I look after the domestic side of things but from my understanding International could take over a decade to fully move out there but hopefully they gear up quicker

Oh, I thought the dedicated international freight (QF, DHL, FedEx, UPS, CX, SQ, EK etc) are rushing to WSI for curfew ops.

 

[jase05]

Oh, I thought the dedicated international freight (QF, DHL, FedEx, UPS, CX, SQ, EK etc) are rushing to WSI for curfew ops.

Yes, sorry I misinterpreted your question. The bulk of the dedicated freighters should move over within the opening 12 months

 

[SYD]

OK, we seem to agree that WSI will be a good cargo airport.

Federal Govt, job well done.

That’s a good start. It will free up a bunch of slots and terminal space at SYD for more self loading cargo.

But WSI will be a thing for passenger cargo inside course.

 

[Quickstatus]

09/07/2026

Walton Tower ATC open
WSI Class C active
Information Alpha
Runway 23 QNH 1029

 

[Saab34]

Seems like ERSA is up. 20 min delays may be expected for daylight movements on arrivals.

https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/current/ersa/FAC_YSWS_09JUL2026.pdf

 

[SeatBackForward]

New flight paths have come into effect across Sydney as of 9 July, ahead of the opening of Western Sydney International (WSI) for cargo flights.

The changes, approved earlier this year, affect all flights in the Sydney area, including from Kingsford Smith, WSI, and Bankstown Airport. In a post on LinkedIn, Airservices hailed the overhaul as “one of the most significant airspace transformations in Australia’s aviation history”.

...

WSI will see its first cargo service on the evening of 27 July, with passenger flights to begin on Sunday 25 October.

Sydney’s skies realign as WSI flight path changes begin

The changes, approved earlier this year, affect all flights in the Sydney area, including from Kingsford Smith, WSI, and Bankstown Airport. In a post on LinkedIn, Airservices hailed the overhaul as “one of the most significant airspace transformations in Australia's aviation history”.

australianaviation.com.au

 

[Harrison_133]

Test flights into WSI will take place next week:

Monday 13 July 2026

Aircraft: A330
Arrival: Approximately 12:15 pm
Departure: Approximately 8:45 pm

Friday 17 July 2026

Aircraft: A321
Arrival: Approximately 9:25 am
Departure: Approximately 8:05 pm

Saturday 18 July 2026

Aircraft: BAE 146
Arrival: Approximately 11:30 am
Departure: Approximately 3:30 pm

Sunday 19 July 2026

Aircraft: BAE 146
Arrival: Approximately 11:30 am
Departure: Approximately 3:30 pm

Upcoming test flights for cargo operations

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), in conjunction with Qantas Freight, will be conducting testing of the Cargo Precinct at the new airport site. As part of this testing, live aircraft operations will take place, including aircraft arrivals and departures from the...

engage.airservicesaustralia.com

 

[jase05]

Test flights into WSI will take place next week:

Upcoming test flights for cargo operations

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), in conjunction with Qantas Freight, will be conducting testing of the Cargo Precinct at the new airport site. As part of this testing, live aircraft operations will take place, including aircraft arrivals and departures from the...

engage.airservicesaustralia.com

A few of us are going over on various days.
I was hoping to get Monday so I could go to Sydney on the weekend and watch my Eels but most likely I’m going over next weekend as they are my aircraft until the changeover

 

[Saab34]

So is there any viewing platform or area that you can watch the traffic?