‘A Maccas but no loaf of bread; vital thing missing from Aussie airports’

Australia’s busiest airport, Sydney (Kingsford Smith) International, has just opened a nail salon. I noticed a barber in arrivals recently and it also has a new gym.

All these are before security, so open for arriving and departing passengers. Then there’s also a chemist, and don’t forget a Maccas.

Once through security, there’s a whole mall-worth of designer shops, as well as stores like Lego, Bonds, and souvenir shops with Tim Tams and boomerangs.

In International, there’s duty free.

Over at Melbourne Airport, once you’re through security you can indulge at make-up giant Mecca, among the usual currency exchanges and cheap booze.

And as Australia’s newest airport in Western Sydney gears up to welcome passengers in a few months, yet again, I’ve noticed there is always one thing missing. It has left me increasingly miffed. Where are the supermarkets?

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Now, I’m not suggesting people do a full shop before boarding their plane.

But why is there never a Woolies or Coles, so you can stock up on a few bits to take home when you land?

You see, I’ve realised it’s common in other parts of the world.

When I lived in Glasgow, Scotland, there was a Tesco to grab some cornflakes, and maybe some Tunnock’s Teacakes on the way home.

And I’ve just returned from South Africa, where I flew into both Johannesburg and Cape Town airports.

Both have well-stocked branches of local supermarket Woolworths (same name, different company) in the airport.

We grabbed bits to take to our hotel, like cans of Coke Zero, South African rusks (the tastiest biscuits), and stuff I realised I’d left at home, like lip balm, without needing to detour into the town first.

And whenever I land in London, I’m able to head to the glorious Marks and Spencer in arrivals to grab a sandwich and some ready meals for the first night.

But at Sydney, whenever I land all I can buy is a SIM card, a Maccas and perhaps an overpriced Kit Kat at WH Smith.

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There’s nowhere for loaf of bread or a pint of milk. I have to go home, dump my suitcase and head to the local shop.

While retailers have not yet been announced for the new Western Sydney Airport, bar a duty free and car hire, they told nine.com.au no supermarket is in the works.

So, I’d like to make this request to airport and supermarket bosses.

Can you please fulfil this basic need for us weary travellers?