Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[markis10]

Storms cells are fairly localised and weather is often completely different 30 miles away.

Indeed winds can be radically different at both, with katabatic winds in effect at WSI overnight while Sydney has anabatic winds.

 

[AuSammy]

How can you divert to WSI when it's also storming there?

Because it may not have been effecting WSI in the same/any way.

Yesterday in our suburb about 10 mins from BNE by road we had no heavy rain wind thunder or lightning just a light drizzle. However BNE was in the thick of big storms and had to close.

 

[Melburnian1]

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Approach was directly over the Blue Mountains. Stunning views actually but photography ruined with sun glare and a dirty window making focus a problem.

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Barely saw a house we flew over other than those ones.
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Airport looks great. I like the design and colours. It feels right for the destination. Looking forward to watching the place evolve over the years. Everything ran really smoothly. I've wandered out the front and now on the public bus towards Liverpool. Beautiful sunny warm day.

Those trees look like exotics.

Given the lesser rainfall in much of western Sydney, why didn't the airport plant natives? Hardier, typically needing less watering and sympathetic to the environment and ecology.

 

[offshore171]

why didn't the airport plant natives?

Native trees attract native birds.

Airports go to great lengths not to attract birds, for obvious reasons.

 

[Melburnian1]

Native trees attract native birds.

Airports go to great lengths not to attract birds, for obvious reasons.

But people with untidy habits, such as dropping crumbs or parts of sandwiches, attract numerous pest birds such as Rock/Spotted Doves (feral pigeons) and Common ('Indian') Mynas (the latter not to be confused with the native Noisy Miner). Even Silver Gulls will migrate inland if there's enough of an attraction to lure them (think rubbish tips).

People also attract other imported pest birds such as blackbirds, starlings and house sparrows.

Planting natives can attract butterflies, native (and European) bees and other insects. These are all healthy for the environment, and if native trees and
shrubs are planted in forecourts a long way from runways, there's less chance of bird strikes.

 

[SYD]

Those trees look like exotics.

Given the lesser rainfall in much of western Sydney, why didn't the airport plant natives? Hardier, typically needing less watering and sympathetic to the environment and ecology.

All natives AFAIK. They’ve gone out of their way to plant natives - presumably as an offset for bulldozing acres of coughberland forest to build WSI

Airport is top of the tree after planting efforts • The Western Weekender

A team of 60 volunteers led by Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport have rolled up their sleeves to plant more than 750 trees as part of the airport’s ongoing conservation efforts.

www.westernweekender.com.au

 

[Melburnian1]

Good. I just couldn't make out what the trees were in the photo. Thanks.

 

[SYD]

Native trees attract native birds.

Airports go to great lengths not to attract birds, for obvious reasons.

We did an aborted landing into SCL the other day due to “birds on the runway” but then told we were in a hold pending “cleanup”…..

Flying out yesterday, there were all manner of hawks whizzing around - no trees in sight of the aprons!

 

[offshore171]

We did an aborted landing into SCL the other day due to “birds on the runway” but then told we were in a hold pending “cleanup”…..

Flying out yesterday, there were all manner of hawks whizzing around - no trees in sight of the aprons!

Yikes. Lucky they weren't condors!

 

[AIRwin]

Yikes. Lucky they weren't condors!

What's wrong with New Qantas partner - Condor?

 

[nancypants]

FYI
Seems like a bit of an oversight. Wasn’t exactly a surprise opening of an airport

 

[Mwenenzi]

FYI
Seems like a bit of an oversight. Wasn’t exactly a surprise opening of an airport

Are you talking about Air Sydney?
Or some airline that serves all of Au.

 

[nancypants]

Are you talking about Air Sydney?
Or some airline that serves all of Au.

WSIstar

 

[Eastwick20]

From Singapore Airlines Industry release this afternoon

Eligible customers travelling through WSI will have access to The Rayleigh Lounge, the airport's new international lounge, located on the terminal’s mezzanine level and operated by dnata.

SIA Business Class travellers, KrisFlyer Gold members, Star Alliance Gold members and PPS Club members will be able to enjoy the lounge's panoramic views towards the Blue Mountains, contemporary Australian design and premium hospitality with a distinctly Western Sydney character. Its premium food and beverage offering will evolve throughout the day to complement WSI’s 24-hour flight schedule.

The Rayleigh Lounge
Eligible Business Class travellers, KrisFlyer Gold members, Star Alliance Gold members and PPS Club members can enjoy the brand-new lounge’s food and bar offering, shower suites, Wi-Fi and charging points. The lounge also features dedicated areas for individuals, families and groups.

 

[kpc]

Having said upthread, I hope to never have to use WSI given the huge distance from my home in Sydney cf to SYD, I had a huge dillemma last night. Want to visit Siem Reap next year...the Sq flight leaves Sin at 0830. If I fly Sq ex Syd, I have to overnight in Sin , and get up early for the 0830 flight.

If I take the 2355 Sq flight to Sin from WSI, I get into Sin at 0530 with 3 hour transit before flight to SAI. Can have b'fast and shower in the KF lounge in SIN..so perfect timing.

Asked +1 would she prefer 2 hour travel to WSI or overnight in Sin , she said the former!

Leave home by train around 7pm for 80 min ride to St Mary's, then 40 min free bus to WSI for less than $6 each. Or Uber for 80 mins for $150+.

Can also work that day and save 1 day leave

So booked WSI-Sin-SAI last night on SQ J Saver...will get to checkout the new airport and Rayleigh lounge...eat and brush teeth before boarding plàne, and hopefully sleep all the way to Sin

 

[dajop]

So booked WSI-Sin-SAI last night on SQ J Saver...will get to checkout the new airport and Rayleigh lounge...eat and brush teeth before boarding plàne, and hopefully sleep all the way to Sin

And this type of connection is exactly why SQ were relatively quick to start service to WSI, exactly what they've been doing in MEL & BNE for years.

 

[moa999]

Exactly I wouldn't be surprised to see CX as well to match the post-midnight service at MEL.

Doesn't make as much sense for the ME carriers as the 9-10.30pm slots from SYD work fine for their morning bank of connecting flights.

 

[dajop]

Doesn't make as much sense for the ME carriers as the 9-10.30pm slots from SYD work fine for their morning bank of connecting flights.

Although QR have announced plans already.

If you take MEL as a guide - MH, CX, TG and Vietjet are the four other players around midnight where it might make sense to have WSI services - although MEL is slightly closer to SE Asia than SYD. And JQ to AKL! Then you get into carriers like AI, EK, QR and CZ that already have 10pm departures out of SYD with sensible arrival times.

Wonder if MH's evening SYD departure that arrives at 4am into KUL will be shifted or whether they're happy enough with that?

 

[piec]

Having said upthread, I hope to never have to use WSI given the huge distance from my home in Sydney cf to SYD, I had a huge dillemma last night. Want to visit Siem Reap next year...the Sq flight leaves Sin at 0830. If I fly Sq ex Syd, I have to overnight in Sin , and get up early for the 0830 flight.

If I take the 2355 Sq flight to Sin from WSI, I get into Sin at 0530 with 3 hour transit before flight to SAI. Can have b'fast and shower in the KF lounge in SIN..so perfect timing.

Asked +1 would she prefer 2 hour travel to WSI or overnight in Sin , she said the former!

Leave home by train around 7pm for 80 min ride to St Mary's, then 40 min free bus to WSI for less than $6 each. Or Uber for 80 mins for $150+.

Can also work that day and save 1 day leave

So booked WSI-Sin-SAI last night on SQ J Saver...will get to checkout the new airport and Rayleigh lounge...eat and brush teeth before boarding plàne, and hopefully sleep all the way to Sin

You can also take the train to St Marys/Liverpool/Leppington and take a cheaper Uber from there.