Australia’s new gateway to the world is a step closer, with work starting on the passenger terminal at Western Sydney International Airport.
Construction is expected to create more than 1,400 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs through flow-on benefits to suppliers and the local economy.
And the terminal is being designed with the customer at its heart – with international and domestic services under one roof to deliver a seamless experience for airlines and passengers, whether they be leisure flyers, business travellers or families.
“This will be Australia’s best airport terminal, with world-leading technology, innovative design and excellent customer service coming together to set a new benchmark for what Australians will expect when they fly,” says Western Sydney Airport chief executive officer Simon Hickey.
“At Western Sydney International we’ll get passengers on their way sooner, whether that’s getting to your meeting on time or arriving home to loved ones.”
Mr Hickey said every element of the airport is being designed to deliver the most seamless and reliable experience possible for customers, from the design of the gates to the cutting-edge baggage handling system.
“We’re aiming to make the anxious wait around the baggage carousel a thing of the past,” Mr Hickey said.
“Our baggage system will give passengers the option to track their bags via an app so they know exactly when they will arrive.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build an airport from the ground up with consideration not only for emerging technologies, such as air taxis, but also technology that has yet to be imagined.”
The terminal will be a destination in its own right, with specialty retail, restaurants and cafes, as well as an outdoor plaza that can host events like local food festivals, markets and community celebrations.
Sustainability is a key consideration, with the terminal designed to bring in natural light and reduce carbon emissions.
The terminal roof will be productive, generating solar electricity and harvesting rainwater. Sustainable and recycled materials will be used throughout the terminal, including the structure, finishes and furniture.
The design pays tribute to Western Sydney’s rich Aboriginal heritage, connecting visitors arriving in Australia at Western Sydney International to more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture.
The terminal plaza will have a station on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line and will be connected to Sydney’s motorway network via the new toll-free M12 Motorway.
Western Sydney International is on track to open to international, domestic and air cargo services in late 2026.
