Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[SYD]

Ever done a LHR-LGW transfer?

Definitely not, but it’s bookable (in fact it was coming up in searches yesterday from DUB-MAD). No thanks.

Similarly, NRT-HND but that actually seems quite common! Pass.

 

[SeatBackForward]

But unfortunately you’ll still to change trains to get from SYD T1/T2/T3 onto the Metro line - in due course the SW metro to WSI would be quickest but the current airport line and Metro design don’t interchange particularly well…. I recall there was a kerfuffle at the metro planning stage not to route the sw metro via the airport.

I think the number of pax transferring between SYD and WSI on an hourly basis would be pretty small, not enough to be designing public transport infrastructure around them.

Ever done a LHR-LGW transfer?

Given the passenger numbers and that SYD is adjacent to the M5 motorway, and from there it will be all motorways via the M7 and and upgrades to WSI being built already - there will be a bus transfer system used. The questions will be, who operates it? and what frequency will it provide?

 

[justinbrett]

Given the passenger numbers and that SYD is adjacent to the M5 motorway, and from there it will be all motorways via the M7 and and upgrades to WSI being built already - there will be a bus transfer system used. The questions will be, who operates it? and what frequency will it provide?

I imagine it will be private, like Melbourne's SkyBus.

 

[Flying Fox]

We already have a heap of people complain about the transfer at SYD from domestic to international. The transfer from SYD - WSI will be worse.

I'm also wondering if two runways will be enough if and when airlines and cargo move over but I'm no expert?

 

[jpp42]

Just wait and see if they bring in a gate fee.

The real test of the NSW Government will be what happens to the Sydney Airport gate fee in May 2030 when the AirportLink concession expires and the stations revert to full Government management. Right now they are keeping 85% of revenues (but this is offset somewhat by the "shadow gate fee" paid for Green Square and Mascot stations). I'm sure they're not keen to give that up...

Post automatically merged: Mar 10, 2023

I'm also wondering if two runways will be enough if and when airlines and cargo move over but I'm no expert?

The site only ever had room for two runways, once you take into account the necessary separation and the need for spacious logistics/cargo handling/ancillary businesses.

 

[drron]

Except you still need to get from SYD Airport to the CBD - so the 3 transfers still stands if you are connecting from SYD (the Airport) to WSI (the airport) or vice versa unless you drive/uber all the way.

My post clearly state SYD (which is airport code) not Sydney the city.

Can't see why you need to commute between airports. Would be only a few needing it. Both SYD and WSI will almost certainly have both International and domestic services. Flying from Interstate surely you would fly into or out of the airport your international flight is using.

 

[Lynda2475]

Can't see why you need to commute between airports.

Well I personally wouldn't (because i wont buy any itinerary which includes WSI it) but you can expect there will be many commuting between as not all airlines will fly to both airports for all routes.

 

[SeatBackForward]

i wont buy any itinerary which includes WSI

Given that nobody knows which airlines and/or destinations will be served by WSI, isn't that quite a bold assertion?

 

[drron]

But if your International flight doesn't operate out of WSI why on earth would you take a domestic flight there rather than SYD. Even transferring on International flights Most would not pick flying into WSI and out of SYD or vice versa apart from a few scrooges.

 

[SeatBackForward]

But if your International flight doesn't operate out of WSI why on earth would you take a domestic flight there rather than SYD. Even transferring on International flights Most would not pick flying into WSI and out of SYD or vice versa apart from a few scrooges.

We don't know the mix of airlines and destinations there yet. For all we know, it may become Bonza's primary airport for Sydney once they launch their Sydney<>Bali direct flights.

 

[justinbrett]

I'm also wondering if two runways will be enough if and when airlines and cargo move over but I'm no expert?

Sydney’s configuration is a poor man’s parallel setup (they are too close).

Brisbane has the best setup in the country but unfortunately it’s caused a few noise issues.

Two good parallels for WSI will be ample for all of our lifetimes. Remember LGW only has one runway.

 

[Lynda2475]

Given that nobody knows which airlines and/or destinations will be served by WSI, isn't that quite a bold assertion?

Maybe but i try to avoid going further west than Strathfield. Given the crazy cost of an Uber to get from home to WSI for an early morning departure; Id rather fly SYD-MEL/BNE and transfer to the international connection; knowing it will be cheaper than an uber at 3am to get to WSI; Id much rather fly 60 mins extra, than spend 90 mins on PT or $200+ on an uber.

I personally don't think we need WSI (given its not in Sydney but on the outer fringes greater Sydney), we should just remove the stupid curfew at SYD, and build an extra floating runway in botany bay (although 24hr ops would give 30% ore capacity with no extra runways).

We don't know the mix of airlines and destinations there yet. For all we know, it may become Bonza's primary airport for Sydney once they launch their Sydney<>Bali direct flights.

Exactly. Some might not have a choice if you are flying from an international destination with a partner that flies only into SYD and then need to go to a regional destination in Aus which is only serviced by JetStar/Bonza who may only fly out of WSI to that destination.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Sydney’s configuration is a poor man’s parallel setup (they are too close).

Given that Sydney airport is constrained by having been there for so long, it's no doubt the best they can do with what they have.

I expect that WSI will be an all round better experience on all aspects of air travel compared to SYD - passengers, airlines, freight, transport etc..

 

[justinbrett]

Given that Sydney airport is constrained by having been there for so long, it's no doubt the best they can do with what they have.

I expect that WSI will be an all round better experience on all aspects of air travel compared to SYD - passengers, airlines, freight, transport etc..

Other than being in Western Sydney…

I doubt the premium experience will compare. No Flounges out there.

 

[Lynda2475]

Given that Sydney airport is constrained by having been there for so long, it's no doubt the best they can do with what they have.

Well no one living near SYD now predates the airport being there, so we absolutely could remove the stupid curfew and immediately increase capacity. Planes are quieter than ever; and all those under the flight paths got free noise insulation decades ago.

I expect that WSI will be an all round better experience on all aspects of air travel compared to SYD - passengers, airlines, freight, transport etc..

Maybe if you live on the western side of outer Western Sydney.

But the crazy commute alone makes in unattractive for so many. It will be far less convenient than SYD for anyone living lower north shore, northern beaches, south easterns suburbs, city, eastern suburbs or inner west.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Maybe if you live on the western side of outer Western Sydney.

But the crazy commute alone makes in unattractive for so many. It will be far less convenient than SYD for anyone living lower north shore, northern beaches, south easterns suburbs, city, eastern suburbs or inner west.

Believe it or not there is more to Sydney than those areas.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Other than being in Western Sydney…

I doubt the premium experience will compare. No Flounges out there.

Again, we don't know yet, their website suggests "We'll service domestic, international and freight flights 24 hours a day with airport facilities designed for both low cost and full service carriers."

That could easily be interpreted as meaning Lounges, priority lanes etc.

 

[jpp42]

But if your International flight doesn't operate out of WSI why on earth would you take a domestic flight there rather than SYD. Even transferring on International flights Most would not pick flying into WSI and out of SYD or vice versa apart from a few scrooges.

I think you underestimate the number of people who will simply buy the cheapest possible flight whatsoever without consideration to inconvenience like changing airports.

Jetstar will likely run flights from many places to WSI, but also from SYD to popular international locations... what's to say someone doesn't book something like OOL-WSI, SYD-HNL ? I know we don't really know how WSI will be used, but both seem quite plausible to me. If an MCT is published and a bus service is started up, it will be totally feasible for more than a few , "scrooges." There are plenty of other metros where this happens - Tokyo and London are already mentioned, but I've seen itineraries with airport changes in Bangkok (BKK-DMT), Taipei (TPE-TSA), and Beijing (PEK-PKX) suggested by travel sites. People will certainly book these things, and if WSI lives up to its expectation, I'm sure there will be demand for bus service at least hourly.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Given that Sydney airport is constrained by having been there for so long, it's no doubt the best they can do with what they have.

I expect that WSI will be an all round better experience on all aspects of air travel compared to SYD - passengers, airlines, freight, transport etc..

Replying to my own post, here's a graphic published by WSI:

 

[AIRwin]

itineraries with airport changes in Bangkok (BKK-DMT), Taipei (TPE-TSA), and Beijing (PEK-PKX) suggested by travel sites

I've also seen Kuala Lumpur (KUL-SZB)