A Qantas plane laden with AusPost parcels is set to be the first freight plane to take off from Western Sydney International (WSI) airport later tonight.
The historic flight will be followed by the first passenger service at 11am on October 25 when Jetstar’s sold-out inaugural flight JQ362 takes off bound for the Gold Coast.
But first things first, and tonight’s flight also signals how the WSI cargo precinct will be a big boost to Sydney’s aviation cargo capacity, with extensive warehousing space which will ultimately cater for up to 1.8 million tons of air cargo annually.
Stage one of the precinct will be able to cater for up to eight wide-body freighters like 747s or 16 narrow-body domestic freighters like 737s or A321s at the same time.
WSI’s cargo precinct will be utilised by Qantas Freight, Menzies Aviation, dnata Cargo, dnata Catering & Retail and Texel Air.
This modern cargo hub will support businesses and strengthen supply chains as Western Sydney is connected to the world.
The entire WSI project has created more than 12,800 jobs, 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 during major construction works at WSI, including local tradies and construction companies, caterers, and security guards.
“Western Sydney Airport gives freight and logistics operators the round-the-clock capacity they need in one of Australia’s fastest growing regions,’’ said federal minister for industry Tim Ayres.
“Combined with the Aerotropolis, it will mean manufacturers and exporters can move goods from factory floors to aircraft’s in hours, not days – creating faster, more resilient supply chains and helping Australian businesses to compete in global markets.
“This is how we build industrial capability, attract investment and cement Western Sydney as a major hub for industry, logistics and advanced manufacturing.”
