Western Sydney Airport: What Travelers Need to Know

Q: When do the first passengers arrive at Western Sydney Airport?

The first passengers are expected on 25 October 2026. 13 Check current airport or airline information for the latest operating details.

Sydney’s new international airport is in the city’s west, but flight routes and transport details are still emerging.

Travel & PlacesOctober 22, 20263 min readHow Sureno writes this

The short version

Western Sydney International Airport, also called Nancy-Bird Walton Airport, is at Luddenham near Badgerys Creek, about 45 kilometres from central Sydney. ³
The airport is due to welcome its first passengers on 25 October 2026. ³
It can operate flights around the clock, unlike Sydney Airport, which has an overnight curfew from 11pm to 6am. ³
Seven airlines have committed to operating there, but the available sources do not list their routes or provide enough detail to plan a particular trip. ³

Where is Western Sydney Airport?

The airport is in Luddenham, near Badgerys Creek in western Sydney. It is about 45 kilometres from the city centre, according to SBS. ³ It is also known as Western Sydney International Airport and Nancy-Bird Walton Airport. ¹³

That puts it well west of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, the city’s existing airport. The new airport is intended to offer another option for air travel across Greater Sydney. ³

When does it open, and what is it called?

The first passengers are expected on Sunday, 25 October 2026. ¹³ The airport’s full name is Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. ¹

Nancy-Bird Walton was the first Australian woman licensed to fly passengers in a commercial plane. The airport includes an artwork paying tribute to her above the domestic departure gates. ¹

Which airlines and routes will use the airport?

Seven airlines have committed to operating services from the new airport, SBS reports. ³ The information available here does not identify all seven or give a complete list of destinations, schedules or fares. Those details can change, so travelers should check with an airline or the airport before booking.

The airport is planned as an international as well as domestic facility. Emirates has also been cleared to operate there, according to SBS, but the source excerpt does not provide its route or start date. ³

Can planes fly there overnight?

Yes. Western Sydney International can receive and send flights 24 hours a day, according to SBS. ³ Sydney Airport, by comparison, has an overnight curfew between 11pm and 6am. ³

The ability to operate around the clock is a notable difference, but it does not mean every airline will offer overnight flights. Travelers will need to check the timetable for the service they want.

How will travelers get to the airport?

The available sources do not provide a sufficiently detailed list of transport services, opening-day connections or journey times. The airport’s location means travelers should confirm their route and allow for the distance from central Sydney rather than assume it is close to the existing airport.

The airport is linked to plans for a wider Western Sydney Aerotropolis, a proposed area for homes and businesses. A report published on opening day says developers in the area have called for more government investment and that water infrastructure remains a challenge. ⁴ That is relevant to the region’s development, but it does not establish what transport will be available to passengers.

What we don't know yet

The complete list of airlines, destinations, flight times and fares is not supplied in these sources.
The sources do not give a full account of public transport, road access or travel times for passengers.
It is too early to know how the airport will affect passenger numbers and travel patterns across Sydney.

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Questions people ask

What is Sydney’s new airport called?

It is called Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. It is also referred to as Western Sydney International Airport and Nancy-Bird Walton Airport. ¹³

How far is Western Sydney Airport from central Sydney?

SBS places the airport at Luddenham near Badgerys Creek, about 45 kilometres from Sydney’s central business district. ³

Will Western Sydney Airport be open 24 hours?

The airport can operate flights at any time of day or night, according to SBS. Sydney Airport has an overnight curfew from 11pm to 6am. ³

Which airlines fly from Western Sydney Airport?

Seven airlines have committed to operating services from the airport, but the available source does not name all of them or provide a complete route list. SBS also reports that Emirates has been cleared to operate there. ³

When do the first passengers arrive at Western Sydney Airport?

The first passengers are expected on 25 October 2026. ¹³ Check current airport or airline information for the latest operating details.

Sources

New Sydney airport honours trailblazing pilot as first passengers welcomed — abc.net.au, 2026-10-22
Flights will soon take off from Australia's newest airport. Here's where they're going — SBS News
The airport was going to transform Sydney’s west. Here’s where that is at — Australian Financial Review, 2026-10-22

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