Latest news with #WSIA
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
First look at Sydney's new international airport as the 24-hour terminal is officially unveiled
The sleek and neutral interiors of Sydney 's new 24-hour international airport have been revealed ahead of the terminal's grand opening in 2026. Western Sydney International Airport (WSIA) has been unveiled for the first time following a mammoth eight-year building project which included a 3.7km runway. WSIA will operate on a 24-hour schedule, unlike Kingford Smith - the city's current airport in Mascot - which closes at 11pm and opens at 6am each day. Planners will now focus on fitting out the terminal's retail precinct and airline lounges with international and domestic gates to be under one roof to streamline travel. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese applauded the end of the terminal's major construction as he fronted reporters on Wednesday. 'When we talk about Building Australia's Future, I think about Western Sydney International Airport,' he said. 'I think about the vision, persistence and cooperation that has led us here to this milestone. I think about the jobs and opportunity that this project has delivered and will deliver for Sydney and for Australia. 'This airport will drive economic growth and turbocharge productivity.' The roof of the new terminal is lined with more than 6,000 solar panels to reduce the airport's carbon footprint. It also features a rainfall collection system with the collected water to be used in bathrooms, irrigation and cooling towers. More than 2,000 workers spent nine million hours building the terminal. 'Since the first sod was turned, nearly half our workforce has hailed from Western Sydney,' WSI CEO Simon Hickey said. 'With around a third learning on the job, 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.' Mr Hickey said the terminal's design was inspired by the natural beauty. 'People will love spending time in this terminal,' he said. 'They can enjoy the iconic vistas of the surrounding Blue Mountains that are reflected in our stunning feature ceiling and take in the thoughtful design and materials like the extensive use of beautiful sandstone sourced from a quarry on the Central Coast.' Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the end of terminal construction marked a major milestone. 'Today marks a significant step in the history of Western Sydney International with the unveiling of the terminal and completion of major works. 'This project is on time and on budget and gearing up to open in 2026. Western Sydney International will shape this region and greater Sydney for decades to come. 'Providing jobs, boosting the productivity of our supply chains and connecting a greater portion of our population with the rest of the world.'
Perth Now
3 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.
