Latest news with #SimonHickey
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Air NZ to start flights to new Western Sydney airport by mid-2027
Western Sydney International Airport. Photo: Western Sydney Airport Air New Zealand has penned an agreement to start flights to the new Western Sydney International Airport from mid-2027. It will become the first trans-Tasman airline to sign up for flights to the new airport, due to open in early 2026. The initial route will connect Auckland and Western Sydney, but is subject to aircraft availability. The airline said the new route would complement Air New Zealand's existing services to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said the airport "represents an exciting step forward" for Australia's aviation sector. "We're delighted to be the first trans-Tasman carrier to signal our intent to operate there as we continue to grow," he said. As opposed to Kingsford Smith Airport, Western Sydney International Airport would operate 24-hours a day without curfews. WSI chief executive Simon Hickey said "this new strategic partnership, supported by the Western Sydney International Take-off Fund, will connect one of Australia's most diverse and fastest growing regions - Western Sydney - with New Zealand's largest city and main holiday gateway." The Take-Off Fund is a New South Wales state government initiative which offers incentives such as cost-offsetting, marketing and operational support to encourage airlines to create new routes to the airport. The state's Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper, said the airport was "getting ready for take-off". "This is the first new route secured through the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, and a route that I am sure will no doubt be very popular," Kamper said. Air New Zealand recently launched a Christchurch-Adelaide route as part of its Tasman growth strategy. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
2 days ago
- Business
- 1News
Air New Zealand to operate from new Sydney international airport
Air New Zealand has confirmed it will operate flights from the new Western Sydney International Airport. Major construction at the site, 44km from Sydney's CBD, is now complete with the terminal unveiled on Wednesday. Western Sydney International chief executive Simon Hickey said the "24-hour international gateway" terminal would create "significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney". New Zealand's national carrier planned to begin operations in 2027, contingent on aircraft availability and passenger demand. Qantas, Jetstar, and Singapore Airlines had already signalled their intent to operate from the new airport. ADVERTISEMENT At Sydney Airport in Mascot, more than 50 airlines fly in and out, the vast majority being overseas carriers. Inside the new terminal for Western Sydney. (Source: Supplied) Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said the new airport represented an 'exciting step forward' for Australian aviation. "We're delighted to be the first trans-Tasman carrier to signal our intent to operate there as we continue to grow." He said the route signalled Air New Zealand's commitment to stronger connections between New Zealand and Australia. "We're looking forward to offering customers our world-class Air New Zealand service to and from a world-class new airport." Public transport delays ADVERTISEMENT The Western Sydney Airport Metro Line, linking the new aviation precinct to Sydney's public transport network, has been delayed with visitors unable to use the service until at least April 2027. "Major projects like these are inherently complex and this project has faced impacts due to industrial relations and supply chain disruption," a Sydney Metro spokesperson told ABC News. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also acknowledged the delay. "It is true that not everything will be operating on day one, but a lot of work has been done and considerable investment to ensure this airport is accessible."
Time Out
2 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
The construction of Western Sydney Airport's spectacular airport terminal is officially complete
Back in January, we got an exclusive sneak peek at Sydney's brand new airport – an architecturally spectacular new complex that's coming to life 41 kilometres west of Sydney's CBD. Now, construction on Western Sydney Airport's (WSI) state-of-the-art terminal is officially complete, and the airport is on track to start welcoming passengers in late 2026. The initial design concepts by COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects – awarded back in 2019 – have been brought to life through partnerships with Multiplex, Woods Bagot, Bechtel and WSI. Designed to honour its location on the land of the Darug, Dharawal and Gundungurra people, the new light-flooded terminal prioritises sustainable principles and new-age technology – and six years after the designs were confirmed, the terminal is officially complete. WSI (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is the first new greenfield international airport to be built in Australia in more than 50 years, and its 24-hour licence is going to change the game – it's predicted to eventually welcome 80 million passengers every year. At the unveiling of the new terminal, WSI CEO Simon Hickey cited the economic benefit that the airport has already brought – and will continue to bring – to Western Sydney, with almost half of the workforce that have brought the airport to life hailing from Western Sydney, and the more than $500 million spent by the airport with businesses based in Western Sydney. 'WSI has been the catalyst for billions in investment in the region and has helped create thousands of local jobs during construction and will bring even more opportunities across our precinct and the surrounding Bradfield City and Aerotropolis once the airport opens,' he said. 'Since the first sod was turned, nearly half our workforce has hailed from Western Sydney, with around a third learning on the job, so the region should be immensely proud of this new terminal as so many workers, businesses, manufacturers and suppliers have literally helped bring it to life. This is their legacy.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
First look inside new Sydney airport
Construction at the new Western Sydney International Airport has finished. Images of the government-owned airport, with just a few travellers wandering through, were released on Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is scheduled to cut the ribbon today, ahead of trial flights in the coming months and the $5.3bn airport becoming fully operational in late-2026. The $5.3bn project is on time and on budget. WSIA Credit: Supplied The terminal ceiling is reminiscent of a traditional Australian veranda. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied State-owned Western Sydney International released dozens of photos of the new terminal, with sunlight pouring through the two-storey windows facing the runway. The terminal entrance has been designed to look like a grand 'Australian veranda'. Much of the airport has been designed to be 'Instagramable' and the operator is spruiking its art gallery aesthetic. About 5km of conveyor belts can sort and distribute up to 2000 bags per hour. The airport has sandstone feature walls. WSIA Credit: Supplied The project has created 12,000 jobs and benefited 360 Western Sydney businesses. WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied On the roof, nearly 9000 solar panels will help power the 1700 hectare site, which is twice the size of Sydney's other international airport. All the buildings travellers will see have been finished. Construction work on the cargo area and a fire station are ongoing. Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines have committed to using the airport. Western Sydney chief executive Simon Hickey told The Australian he was hopeful Virgin Australia would soon sign as well. Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied Supplied photo of the now completed Western Sydney International Airport Terminal. Supplied by WSIA Credit: Supplied The nearest suburb is 10km from the end of the runway. WSIA Credit: Supplied The airport is projected to serve 23,000 passengers and 800t of cargo a day by 2030. WSIA Credit: Supplied Sydney's Kingsford airport has curfew hours barring planes over the high density area and Western Sydney's 24-hour window is a key selling point to the airlines. In 2026, five million passengers are expected through the airport. By 2031, operators aim to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. Long-term targets have 82 million people travelling through the airport each year by 2063. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026,' federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said on Tuesday.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
First pictures reveal what Western Sydney International Airport will look like
Construction at the new Western Sydney International Airport has finished. Images of the government-owned airport, with just a few travellers wandering through, were released on Wednesday. Anthony Albanese is scheduled to cut the ribbon today, ahead of trial flights in the coming months and the $5.3bn airport becoming fully operational in late-2026. State-owned Western Sydney International released dozens of photos of the new terminal, with sunlight pouring through the two-storey windows facing the runway. The terminal entrance has been designed to look like a grand 'Australian veranda'. Much of the airport has been designed to be 'Instagramable' and the operator is spruiking its art gallery aesthetic. About 5km of conveyor belts can sort and distribute up to 2000 bags per hour. On the roof, nearly 9000 solar panels will help power the 1700 hectare site, which is twice the size of Sydney's other international airport. All the buildings travellers will see have been finished. Construction work on the cargo area and a fire station are ongoing. Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines have committed to using the airport. Western Sydney chief executive Simon Hickey told The Australian he was hopeful Virgin Australia would soon sign as well. Sydney's Kingsford airport has curfew hours barring planes over the high density area and Western Sydney's 24-hour window is a key selling point to the airlines. In 2026, five million passengers are expected through the airport. By 2031, operators aim to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. Long-term targets have 82 million people travelling through the airport each year by 2063. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026,' federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said on Tuesday.
