By WSI CEO Simon Hickey
AS we round the home stretch towards our opening date on October 25, we are thrilled to bring more airlines, more routes and more choice for Sydneysiders to travel from their city’s newest airport. Adding two further international airlines in recent months and more direct international connections for travellers, we are proud to have VietJet and Fiji Airways come on board, joining existing partners Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar.
VietJet will operate a twice weekly non-stop service between Ho Chi Minh City and Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) from January 9, 2027. For more than half of Sydney’s Vietnamese population based in Western Sydney, the route will provide greater convenience and flexibility – with flights back to friends, family or home now much more accessible. Services will depart WSI every Wednesday and Sunday at 12:05 p.m., arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at 4:30 p.m. the same day.
I’m delighted that Fiji Airways will also operate a new direct service between WSI and Nadi from March 19, 2027, giving more than 70 per cent of Sydney’s Fijian population another seamless service to connect with family and friends. The service will depart WSI at 11:55pm and arrive in Nadi just after 5am – ideally timed for long weekend getaways, or for people who want to arrive in Nadi with a full day ahead.
WSI is proud to call Western Sydney home – it’s one of the nation’s most diverse and fastest growing regions and home to more than 170 ancestries across communities who love to travel. The new VietJet and Fiji Airways services will make travelling to visit family and friends more convenient and accessible.
It’s also been terrific to see Jetstar boost the frequency of their services, between WSI and the Gold Coast, before our operations have even commenced – highlighting the level of excitement, interest, and demand for travel from WSI.
When passenger services officially launch on 25 October, travellers will enter Australia’s first major international greenfield airport development in more than 50 years. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, we have purpose-built the airport around the passenger journey.
Our systems and architecture are designed to consider everything across the passenger journey – from arrival, to check in, through security, to comfortable gate spaces for relaxation before departure, and a seamless baggage collection process on the way back.
Passengers arriving in their own vehicles will have ease of access to more than 6,000 parking spaces across Premium, Saver and Long-stay options. Parking can be booked online now with compelling launch offers of which we are really proud, including Long-Stay parking from just $15 a day. Licence plate recognition will enable quick entry and a smooth transit to check-in.
People will also be able to travel by rideshare using our designated Uber pick-up bays just a stone’s throw from the terminal entry; taxi; private transfer via Super Shuttle WSI or other providers; or public bus, including along the new, toll-free M12 and its interchange with the M7 – providing seamless connectivity across Greater Sydney’s road network.
As passengers enter the terminal, they’ll pass beneath WSI’s ‘great Australian veranda’ and into a space complemented by expansive ceilings and abundant natural light. Through the terminal, extensive Australian sandstone feature walls and other fixtures and furnishings pay homage to First Nations communities and include stones from the nearby Nepean River.
Looking up, the terminal’s signature suspended aluminium ceiling takes its inspiration from the Blue Mountains and Cumberland Plain landscapes. It’s the largest of its kind in Australia, spanning more than 208,000 metres.
Under this single roof, the integrated terminal brings domestic and international operations together by using industry-leading Baggage Handling System technology to service passengers with all airlines. Forty check-in and 34 bag drop kiosks reduce queueing and prepare luggage for high-speed sortation, security checks and accurate tracking.
With passenger services launching this month, and new international routes continuing to join the network, we’re delighted to be giving Greater Sydney more choice and flexibility on where, when and how they choose to fly.
I look forward to welcoming you to WSI, very soon.
