Back in January, we got an exclusive sneak peek at Sydney’s brand new airport – an architecturally spectacular new complex that’s coming to life 41 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD. Now, construction on Western Sydney Airport’s (WSI) state-of-the-art terminal is officially complete, and the airport is on track to start welcoming passengers in late 2026.
The initial design concepts by COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects – awarded back in 2019 – have been brought to life through partnerships with Multiplex, Woods Bagot, Bechtel and WSI. Designed to honour its location on the land of the Darug, Dharawal and Gundungurra people, the new light-flooded terminal prioritises sustainable principles and new-age technology – and six years after the designs were confirmed, the terminal is officially complete. WSI (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is the first new greenfield international airport to be built in Australia in more than 50 years, and its 24-hour licence is going to change the game – it’s predicted to eventually welcome 80 million passengers every year.
At the unveiling of the new terminal, WSI CEO Simon Hickey cited the economic benefit that the airport has already brought – and will continue to bring – to Western Sydney, with almost half of the workforce that have brought the airport to life hailing from Western Sydney, and the more than $500 million spent by the airport with businesses based in Western Sydney.
“WSI has been the catalyst for billions in investment in the region and has helped create thousands of local jobs during construction and will bring even more opportunities across our precinct and the surrounding Bradfield City and Aerotropolis once the airport opens,” he said.
“Since the first sod was turned, nearly half our workforce has hailed from Western Sydney, with around a third learning on the job, so the region should be immensely proud of this new terminal as so many workers, businesses, manufacturers and suppliers have literally helped bring it to life. This is their legacy.”
WSI is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026 – with a new CBD, new metro line and new toll-free motorway being built on its doorstep.
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