News that an international airline is planning to fly to the new Western Sydney International (WSI) airport has been met with celebration from the local business chamber, which predicts the airline’s presence will be a boon for the economy.
Construction of the airport is set to create more than 9,000 jobs and provide half a billion dollars worth of business contracts.
Business Western Sydney Executive Director David Borger said the news Singapore Airlines had agreed to fly to WSI was a positive sign that jobs and business would continue to flourish after the last coat of paint had dried.
“The arrival of Singapore Airlines as the first international carrier at Western Sydney International Airport marks a significant milestone and is a huge vote of confidence in the region’s economic future,” he said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.
“Singapore Airlines, with its extensive network covering 76 international destinations across 32 countries and six continents, underscores the high calibre and prestige that our new airport will unlock for Western Sydney.
“Singapore Airlines is a globally renowned brand known for its excellence in air travel. Its presence in Western Sydney not only enhances our connectivity with major international markets, especially in Asia, but also unlocks immense opportunities for trade and local job creation, thanks to the operational demands of a 24/7 airport.”
More than 80 percent of the airport has now been completed, and flights will start in late 2026. Ten million passengers are expected to pass through the airport annually.
Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development Minister Catherine King said the airport would also boost tourism.
“This strategic partnership recognises WSI’s status as a world-class international airport and new gateway to Asia,” she said.
“Tourism is a major contributor for Sydney and Australia, with WSI a major contributor to opportunities for jobs and local businesses.”
Freeing Up Spaces
One of the biggest obstacles to having multiple airlines at an airport is flight slots. Experts in the field hope the construction of WSI will boost the possibilities for new and existing airlines to offer more services.“Adelaide is the only other airport with a curfew. Kingsford Smith can only permit 80 take-offs and landings currently, which is a problem that Australia’s busiest airport is not operating at 100 percent capacity,” he said.
Drury said airports needed to develop fair flight systems to ensure the best outcomes for multiple airlines.
“A fair and equitable system for granting premium time slots needs to be addressed and the 80/20 rule, where an airline must operate 80 percent of their scheduled flights with a 20 percent buffer, must be enforced,” he said.
“Airlines that do not meet the standards and are cancelling flights must have consequences for future slot assignments. New entrants need to be given a fair go at the premium slots and permitted to adjust to meeting the standards.”
