A Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast will usher in the start of domestic passenger services at the new Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport.
Jetstar and Qantas today (June 10) launched ticket sales with confirmation that the first passenger flight out (JQ362 onboard an Airbus A320) is due at 11am on Sunday, October 25.
(International tickets went on sale earlier this year for Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand services.)
Airport CEO Simon Hickey says their countdown “is officially on” and says demand will only grow despite the global war.
“These flights will give all of Sydney more choice and flexibility to travel domestically with both airlines’ services expected to grow over the years ahead in line with demand,” he says.
“Despite the ongoing global conflict that continues to challenge the industry, (the) domestic ticket launch is another vote of confidence in (the) airport.”
The airport is expected to operate 24-7 without a night curfew and is designed to handle up to 82 million passengers annually.
Domestic services from WSI: From October 25, Jetstar will operate up to 14 flights a week to Melbourne; four times a week to the Gold Coast and three weekly flights to Brisbane using an 188-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. From March 28, 2027, Qantas will fly four times a week to Brisbane and four times a week to Melbourne using the 95-seat Embraer E190 aircraft.
FREIGHT BEATS JETSTAR FLIGHT
The first commercial flight, however, will be freight; the airport’s 24-hour cargo precinct is due to officially open on Sunday, July 26, followed a day later by the first freight flight from Qantas.
The airport says it will carry out trial flights earlier in July to test the new precinct ahead of its formal opening.
“We’re delighted to welcome Qantas Freight from Monday, July 27, which will help boost our city’s air cargo capacity,” Hickey says.
“Both exporters and importers will benefit from our cargo precinct’s 24-hour capacity, dedicated access via the recently upgraded Northern Road, and proximity to key freight and logistics hubs in Kemps Creek and developing industrial sites across the Aerotropolis.”
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says October 25 will be a big day for Western Sydney.
“This is a project 15 years in the making. I’m looking forward to passenger flights taking off in just 137 days,” she says.
Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson says they are “incredibly proud” that Jetstar will kick-start domestic operations at WSI airport.
“We know there’s growing demand for customers in Western Sydney,” she says.
“We’re proud to be working with Gold Coast Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland to make our services to South East Queensland a reality.”
She is expecting more than 850 tonnes of freight to move through each week to meet growing demand for e-commerce and next-day deliveries.
