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FAQs

Top 5 FAQs

Ensuring our construction project is being a good neighbour to the communities around the Airport site is important to us.

If you have any questions about the construction project or any feedback, then call our 24/7 toll-free feedback line on 1800 951 171.

At the moment the project is in the early earthworks phase, which means we’re only working on about six percent of the site until major earthworks begin at the start of 2020. As major earthworks ramp up over months to follow, there’ll be lots of construction job opportunities. Until then, if you’re interested in a position on the early earthworks project, then email our contractor CPB Lend Lease at WSAenquiries@cpblljv.com.au .  

As for jobs when the Airport opens in 2026, we’ll be advertising closer to the time. In the meantime any jobs at Western Sydney Airport, the organisation building the Airport, will be advertised at www.wsaco.com.au/careers.
 

The Airport is set to start operating at the end of 2026. Construction began in September 2018.

The Western Sydney International site is massive – at 1,780 hectares it’s around twice the area of Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport. The difference between the highest and lowest points on the site is about the same as a 12-storey building.

To build the terminal and runways, that huge area needs to be flat, so earthworks will take up most of the construction period. We also have very high safety and environmental standards, so we have to take enough time to ensure our workers, the community and the environment are protected.

Flight paths are being developed by the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development – not by Western Sydney Airport.

Designing and finalising flight paths and airspace arrangements for Western Sydney International airport is a large and complex task that takes several years to complete. Before the airport opens in 2026, a comprehensive airspace planning and design process will be undertaken, with ongoing community engagement. 

The flight paths are being designed by a team of experts and overseen by an aviation Expert Steering Group. This team must take into account the airspace design principles required by the Western Sydney Airport Plan and develop flight paths based on maximising safety, efficiency and capacity, and minimising aircraft noise impacts on the community.

You can expect to see draft flight paths and have a chance to provide feedback around 2021.

For more information about the flight path development process, visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development website.

Curfews and other aircraft movement restrictions are not common at airports around the world, in fact, they are put in as a last resort. For example, Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport has a curfew because it is surrounded by some of the most densely populated land in Australia and noise from aircraft taking off and landing at that airport can affect millions of people.

By contrast, the land around Western Sydney International has been protected from medium and high density development for decades, as the site has been planned as a likely location for a major airport for a long time. That means operations at Western Sydney International won’t have the potential to impact as many people.

In addition, flight paths for Western Sydney International will be designed by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development to minimise impacts on surrounding communities. The NSW Government is also planning the land around Western Sydney International, taking into account how to minimise noise impacts.

Operating without a curfew will help us unlock a new era of jobs and opportunities for Western Sydney. It will mean opportunities for airlines and new routes, including more affordable low cost carriers. It will also mean local growers and producers will be able to expand their businesses by becoming exporters, being able to get fresh produce quickly to lucrative markets in Asia overnight. Curfew-free operation means all this will flow on to create more jobs in Western Sydney.
 

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Now that initial concept designs have been completed, further detailed refinement will take place. We’ll be ramping up our engagement, consulting a wide range of government, airlines, industry and community stakeholders and local Aboriginal groups to further refine the designs and drill down on the details.

In early 2019, we launched an international design competition seeking expressions of interest to design Sydney’s new airport. The objective was to create a terminal that would serve as a destination in itself and deliver great customer service. Sustainability was a key criteria, along with passenger experience, ensuring our customers have a reliable, fun and stress-free airport experience. Firms pitching for the project also had to outline how they plan to involve university students with a link to Western Sydney.

Following a multi-stage evaluation, the winning design was from internationally renowned Zaha Hadid Architects and Australian firm Cox Architecture. The architectural team engaged with the local Dharug community as well as Western Sydney University students during the design development process.

The terminal features stunning vertical gardens representing the Western Parkland City, creating a calm space with a sense of place and belonging. The curvature and lighting of the striking timber ceiling provides intuitive wayfinding through the terminal for passengers. The light filtration is inspired by the Australian bush, mimicking the experience of standing beneath a eucalyptus tree canopy.  

Having two major airports in Sydney means that people will have a choice of where they want to fly from.

The interest from airlines in Western Sydney International has been very strong. We've already signed MOUs with the Qantas and Virgin Australia groups and we have more MOUs with major international airlines on the way. 

While connections to the Sydney CBD will be important, we're building an Airport for Western Sydney - so our first priority is to make sure it's connected to the immediate region.

When the Airport first opens, anyone using Western Sydney International will be able to get to the Sydney CBD in a number of ways. You will be able to use the Sydney Metro Greater West rail service to connect with Sydney's rail network at St Marys station to travel to the CBD. Express buses will connect to Parramatta and Liverpool, where you'll also be able to change to catch a train to the city.

Western Sydney International will also have a direct motorway connection to its business park and passenger terminal. The toll-free M12 motorway will connect to Sydney's motorway network via the M7 motorway, which means road journeys from the Airport to Sydney's CBD can be exclusivly by motorway.

Growing in stages and over decades, Western Sydney International is set to become Sydney's primary airport around 2060. This means that before then, direct rail connections from the Airport to the eastern parts of Sydney will be vital. 

Creating a smart airport is about bringing together planning, design, technology and customer service to create a seamless experience for our customers.

We will put ourselves in our passengers’ shoes and take advantage of the latest technology as we make smart design the cornerstone of our vision to create an airport that passengers love using and that offers airlines efficiency and reliability.

There are so many factors that will have to come together to ensure the Airport offers a seamless experience in an enjoyable environment. From the moment passengers arrive at the Airport, through check-in, security and customs to the boarding gate, we want every stage to be stress-free. 

The Airport will have a combined international and domestic passenger terminal, which means a simpler experience for passengers and more seamless transfers between flights. The terminal will be easy to navigate, have excellent retail and dining options, and will be bright and open.

We are building an airport for Western Sydney’s future, so we are focussed on sustainability and minimising the impact of the Airport on the environment. There are strong rules around the sustainability standards we must meet as we design and build Western Sydney International, but we are looking for opportunities go further in ensuring the Airport represents a commitment to future generations. 

Local roads around the Western Sydney International site are being upgraded so they can cater for the increase in vehicles that the Airport and surrounding precinct will generate. There’s even a brand new motorway, the M12, being built to the Airport’s front door from the M7 motorway. The NSW Government has committed to the M12 being toll-free.
 

The Australian Government established a government-owned corporation, Western Sydney Airport, to build and operate Western Sydney International, so there’s strong official oversight to ensure we take a responsible and transparent approach.


There are strict rules in place and the organisation is overseen by experienced leaders with diverse experience across business, airport development and city-shaping infrastructure.


It’s great to know that the community and taxpayers can have confidence, with the project on time and on budget.

Aircraft need to take off and land into the wind. Airports that have cross runways are in areas with variable wind conditions, so they can keep operating, even if the wind direction changes.

Wind conditions at the Western Sydney International site are far more predictable and generally come from one direction, which means we don’t need a cross runway.

However there are plans to build a second parallel runway around the 2050s, when the Airport grows and there is increased demand. Until then, one runway is all Western Sydney International needs.
 

We’re building an airport for Western Sydney, so we’re committed to ensuring we create local jobs and business opportunities. Building Western Sydney International will create thousands of jobs and there will be even more when the Airport is operating.

As of 30 June 2019, 54% of the Airport's workforce were from Western Sydney - that's much higher than our minimum target of at least 30% of construction jobs going to people who live in Western Sydney.

The minimum local employment target increases to 50% of jobs when Western Sydney International opens.

We also guarantee at least 20 per cent of jobs for apprentices, trainees and other learning workers. 


 

We’re excited to have signed MOUs with the Qantas and Virgin Australia groups and have more on the way with other Australian and overseas airlines.

Under the MOUs we’ve started early discussions about potential routes for Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and TigerAir services from Western Sydney International. We’re also drawing on their experience and insights to design an airport that passengers love using and that offers airlines efficiency and reliability.

Our airline MOUs are a huge vote of confidence in Western Sydney International from Australia’s biggest airlines and we'll have more airline partnerships to announce soon.