WSI CEO Simon Hickey said Western Sydney International’s launch and first passenger flight is an historic moment for Western Sydney and the thousands of people who’ve spent millions of hours bringing Australia’s new state-of-the-art airport to life.
“For decades, countless people have advocated for an airport in Western Sydney and the social and economic benefits it would provide. Today, that ambition will become a reality as we mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our city’s cultural heartland.”
“WSI is the most transformational piece of infrastructure our nation has seen since the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It brings the world closer to Western Sydney and opportunity closer to home, creating new meaningful jobs for generations to come. Young people growing up in the West can now look to the sky and see their future is bright and right here, in their own backyard.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “For the first time in more than 50 years, Australia is opening a major new airport. It’s a milestone that has been decades in the making and one that belongs to the people of Western Sydney.
In 2019, COX Architecture and ZHA won the international design competition for the terminal. Over the following two years the practices worked as concept design architects, engaging Indigenous design consultant Carol Vale of Murawin at an early stage to embed Dharug Country narratives into the spatial experience. Woods Bagot was subsequently appointed as design and delivery architect within Multiplex's construction team, carrying the scheme from concept through to completion.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, "Western Sydney International Airport has hit the ground running, and it's only going to get bigger and better from here.”
Most airport terminals place departure areas on an upper level with arrivals below. Western Sydney International takes a different approach: the floor plan has been split, with natural light streaming into all levels, including the baggage hall on the ground floor and the departures area above it. A wave-like ceiling filters natural light from the aerobridges through to the baggage claim level, inspired by the Australian gum trees.
International arrivals occupy the terminal's highest level, an unusual arrangement in airport design. From that floor, arriving passengers look west toward the Blue Mountains. The international arrivals floor also offers views over the departures area, a high-ceiling space with windows oriented toward the runway and the distant mountains.
Sustainability was a main goal throughout design. About 9,000 solar panels have been installed across the terminal roof and passenger walkways. They have capacity to produce 4.5MW of energy and the ability to power approximately 40% of the terminal's energy demand. The base layer of the 3.7km runway includes 5.5 million tonnes of quality sandstone diverted from landfill from Sydney-based tunnelling projects.
The colours, materials – including extensive Australian sandstone feature walls sourced from a quarry on the Central Coast – and furnishings, pay homage to First Nations communities and include stones from the nearby Nepean River.
For the public art, WSI commissioned Indigenous design and strategy agency Balarinji to embed local Dharug culture, language, and stories across Australia's newest airport precinct. The overarching narrative, ‘Warami - Country is Life’, uses the traditional Dharug greeting to welcome travellers, offer safe passage, and connect visitors to Dharug Country. One major feature is the Ngaliya Muru public artwork, a major gateway artwork spanning 120 square metres of layered steel with 109 custom laser-cut panels and a 112 square metre mural on Warami Drive, co-created by Dharug/Muringong artist Venessa Possum and Balarinji Studio.
The 23km Sydney Metro—Western Sydney Airport line, linking the airport with St Marys for connections to the existing Sydney Trains network, was originally to open alongside the airport. NSW Premier Chris Minns conceded in June that the line could be delayed until mid-2028. Until then, a free shuttle bus will connect the airport with St Marys station and additional bus services will link the airport with centres including Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown.