Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley says the next milestone in the construction of the Western Sydney International [WSI] airport brings the promise of better opportunities for residents in the area.
Ms Stanley was speaking after the state of the art terminal was formally unveiled this morning by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“Jobs, roads, housing and railways are already in progress because of the promise the new airport brings.
“I am so happy to share this with everyone,” said Ms Stanley, who joined airport CEO Simon Hickey, the Prime Minister, infrastructure minister Catherine King and senior executives from Qantas and Singapore Airlines to celebrate this major milestone event (pictured).
Sydney’s new 24-hour airport is one step closer to welcoming its first passengers, with major construction now complete.
Today’s announcement also signalled a shift in the airport’s progress from construction to operations in the lead up to its opening in 2026.
Completion of the terminal joins the recent completion of the Airside package of works, including the 3.7-kilometre runway, and the Landside package of works, including the carparks, roads, bridges and utilities
With major construction now finished, WSI will move on with testing the systems and preparing for airport operations to get ready for passengers and freight.
More than 2,000 workers expended around 9 million hours creating the terminal, which will house both domestic and international gates under one roof to enable fast connections.
“When we talk about Building Australia’s Future, I think about Western Sydney International Airport,’’ the Prime Minister 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 entire WSI project has created 11,650 annual full-time equivalent jobs, over half of which have come from the local area.
More than $500 million has also been invested in more than 360 Western Sydney based businesses since the start of WSI’s construction in 2017, including local tradies and construction companies, caterers, and security guards.
The Australian Government is investing $19 billion into infrastructure projects in Western Sydney, including $2.3 billion committed in the 2025-26 Budget.
These investments ensure that the airport, and the businesses in Western Sydney, will have the infrastructure they need on day one of the airport opening, and that the road and rail connections required for the future continue to grow with the airport.
While major construction of the WSI terminal is complete, the fit-out of the terminal’s retail precinct and airline lounges will take place closer to the airport’s opening as commercial tenders and final contracts continue to progress over the months ahead. WSI is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026.
“Today marks a significant step in the history of Western Sydney International with the unveiling of the terminal and completion of major works,’’ said infrastructure minister Catherine King.
“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.”
It was also announced today that WSI has landed its second international airline, with Air New Zealand signalling its intent to operate services to the new airport.
Air New Zealand joins Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar (domestic) as one of four carriers now signed on to operate from WSI.
The airline’s first route will connect Auckland and Western Sydney, opening a new gateway between Aotearoa, New Zealand and one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
I can distinctly remember way, way back to the distant past when I was either nineteen or twenty In the late nineteen seventies whilst working within the Menswear Section at Downes Department Store situated at Queen Street In Campbelltown In N.S.W. I overheard the news on the radio In the upstairs Staff Recreational Room whilst having my lunch along with some of my younger work colleagues that a massive Brand-New-Airport was to be constructed somewhere where the current one Is being built and Is allegedly due for completion In 2026. Naturally being all so very young and blissfully Ignorant about life’s machinations we all became thoroughly excited at the prospect of obtaining employment at this Brand- New-Airport that was to proceed ahead sometime within the foreseeable future. I had such Dreams, Goals and Aspirations and Imagined myself along with my workmates of each having a secure career at that local International/ Domestic Airport however most unfortunately It never came to fruition, I soon realized that the moment a Politician opens his or her mouth when being Interviewed either on Television or Radio then they are generally talking utter nonsense and whatever Is generally being said Is a mere Fairytale that will never come true, the Brand-New-Airport came well over fifty years plus too late for me along with my work mates our Dream jobs never came true what a bleak tragedy. 16/6/2025.