First of four freighter test flights lands at Western Sydney

By Andrew Curran.

The first of four freighter trial flights at Western Sydney Airport (WSI) has taken place ahead of the airport opening to cargo operations later this month.

An A321-200 freighter operated by Express Freighters Australia on behalf of Qantas touched down at Western Sydney yesterday, July 13. The aircraft, VH-XF5 (MSN 02799), took a break from its usual trans-Tasman flying to operate flight QF7301 between Sydney Airport (SYD) and Western Sydney Airport.

Although the two airports are only 56 kilometres apart by road, the aircraft took a leisurely 27 minutes to complete the flight, looping out over the Pacific before heading west and overflying WSI. It then completed another circuit over Sydney’s western suburbs before landing from the north-east.

The A321 is the largest aircraft to land at Western Sydney Airport so far. The airport will open to freight operations on July 26 and passenger services in October.

Testing WSI's processes and systems

After landing, VH-XF5 taxied to the cargo precinct to test the airport’s aircraft handling, ground operations, systems, airside coordination and cargo transfer procedures. The aircraft spent around five hours on the ground before returning to Sydney Airport and resuming its trans-Tasman schedule later that evening.

“Western Sydney International Airport is set to become one of Australia’s key air freight hubs,” said Qantas Freight Executive Manager Igor Kwiatkowski. “Today’s flight was an important opportunity to test key procedures ahead of starting operations.”

“The airport will increase Sydney’s air cargo capacity, helping us to move time-critical supplies around Australia and overseas in the months ahead.”

You can view a clip of VH-XF5’s landing here.

Another three test flights to take place

Meanwhile, a further three freighter trial flights are scheduled later this week. According to an Airservices Australia advisory, a second A321-200 freighter will land at WSI during the morning of July 17, while a BAe 146 freighter will operate trial flights on the mornings of July 18 and 19. All three aircraft will spend several hours on the ground.

“These flights form part of operational readiness and testing activities ahead of the airport’s opening for freight operations,” the advisory reads. “Aircraft involved in the testing will operate on the published flight paths.”

Western Sydney Airport CEO Simon Hickey said the trial flights marked the final stages of the airport’s operational readiness programme.

“These trials are an integral part of ensuring that our systems, infrastructure and staff have been put through their paces in a live and controlled operating environment,” he said.

“We’ve utilised the latest technology and innovations to deliver a highly efficient, sustainable and future-proof cargo precinct,” Hickey added. “Our trials present an excellent opportunity to test these capabilities.”

Western Sydney Airport says its cargo precinct will be capable of processing up to 220,000 tonnes of freight annually and has been built with future growth in mind.

Qantas expects to handle around 850 tonnes of freight each week at WSI, using its new 24,000-square-metre purpose-built freight terminal.

Logistics companies Menzies Aviation and dnata have also signed on to use the cargo precinct, while Texel Air Australasia recently inked an agreement to operate B737-800 freighter charter services in and out of Western Sydney Airport.

Photo: Courtney Keijzers via Western Sydney Airport.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com