Western Sydney airport’s opening day revealed

Western Sydney International Airport’s opening dates and its “history making” first flights have been revealed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced this morning that Nancy-Bird Walton airport would welcome its first passengers on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Jetstar will operate the airport’s first commercial passenger flight, with an Airbus A320 set to take off from WSI (Western Sydney International) to the Gold Coast at 11am that day.

“We’re incredibly proud that Jetstar will be the first Australian airline to begin operations at Western Sydney International Airport and Qantas will follow early next year,” Qantas Group chief executive Vanessa Hudson said.

From opening day, Jetstar will operate up to 14 flights a week between WSI and Melbourne, four weekly flights to the Gold Coast, and three weekly flights to Brisbane.

Qantas will launch passenger flights from WSI from March 28, 2027, operating four flights a week to Brisbane and four flights a week to Melbourne.

The new airport will initially serve up to 10 million passengers a year.

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All the airlines flying out of the new Western Sydney International Airport

Freight operations from the airport will kick off even sooner, starting on Sunday, July 26 this year.

Qantas and Jetstar passenger flights will be joined by Air New Zealand, which will start flights to Auckland on October 26, and by Singapore Airlines, whose daily flights to Changi start on November 23.

“I want to thank the tens of thousands of people who over the years planned, built and are now testing Western Sydney International Airport and the surrounding infrastructure right here in Western Sydney,” Albanese said.

Qantas Group announced “special launch fares” to mark the occasion, with ticket sales beginning later this morning.

One-way economy fares are available from $59 on Jetstar to the Gold Coast and from $99 on Qantas to Melbourne and Brisbane.

“Despite the ongoing global conflict that continues to challenge the industry, today’s domestic ticket launch is another vote of confidence in Western Sydney International Airport, and the opportunities this rapidly growing region presents for the future of air travel in Greater Sydney,” WSI chief executive Simon Hickey said.