Sydney’s second international airport is just 100 days away from welcoming its first passenger flights, with Air New Zealand set to make history as the first international airline to land at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport when operations begin in October.
According to a report by Stuff, the airline will launch its Auckland-Western Sydney service on October 26, operating three return flights each week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flights will depart Auckland at 6 am, arriving at the new airport at 7.45 am, while return services will leave Western Sydney International (WSI) at 8.55 am and arrive back in Auckland at 2.10 pm.
Air New Zealand has confirmed one-way seat-only fares will start from $319, compared with the $310 introductory fares announced in April. The airline said the $9 increase reflects rising fuel costs.
Despite the increase, Air New Zealand General Manager of Australia Kath O'Brien said travellers would continue to receive competitive pricing.
“They are still ‘very competitive fares’ and would be priced similarly to flights to Sydney International Airport (SYD), if not a bit cheaper, as Kingsford Smith has higher passenger taxes,” as quoted by Stuff.
Western Sydney International will officially open on October 25, when Jetstar operates the airport's first domestic commercial passenger service to the Gold Coast. The low-cost carrier will also introduce flights to Melbourne and Brisbane.
Singapore Airlines will begin daily evening services to Singapore's Changi Airport from November, while Qantas is scheduled to launch flights to Melbourne and Brisbane from the new airport at the end of March, Stuff has reported.
Located about 50 kilometres west of Sydney's CBD, the airport is expected to be a convenient option for travellers heading to Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and regional New South Wales.
Western Sydney is home to one of Australia's largest Kiwi and Pacific Island communities, making the airport a more practical arrival point for those travelling to suburbs such as Parramatta, Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown, as reported by Stuff.
The airport has been designed with a single integrated terminal for both domestic and international flights, making transfers easier for passengers connecting between services.
WSI also features advanced technology, including shared self-service check-in kiosks, automated baggage handling and real-time luggage tracking through mobile devices.
Another major advantage is its CAT III-B runway technology, allowing aircraft to continue operating during heavy fog, reducing weather-related disruptions that can affect Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Stuff has reported.
Unlike Kingsford Smith, Western Sydney International will operate 24 hours a day without a curfew, creating more opportunities for airlines to schedule flights and expand routes over time.
Despite the new airport's features, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is still likely to be the preferred option for travellers heading to the CBD, Circular Quay, Bondi Beach and other central attractions.
Located just 13 kilometres from the city centre, Kingsford Smith also offers a direct Airport Link rail service to Central Station in about 13 minutes.
It currently serves dozens of international airlines and offers far more daily flights, destinations, and premium airport lounges than the new airport does.
O'Brien said Air New Zealand has no immediate plans to open its own lounge at Western Sydney International.
“Currently, Air New Zealand has no plans to open a dedicated lounge at WSI for the launch of the services, but there are third-party lounge options which will be confirmed closer to the start of operations,” as quoted by Stuff.
As Sydney prepares to become a two-airport city, travellers will soon have greater flexibility in choosing the airport that best suits their destination, budget and travel plans, while the arrival of Western Sydney International is expected to improve connectivity and create new opportunities for both domestic and international travel, as reported by Stuff.