Sydney skies set for change ahead of new airport opening

By Andrew Curran.

Flight path changes will come into effect over Sydney in July ahead of the opening of Western Sydney Airport (WSI) later that month. The changes will affect aircraft operating to and from Western Sydney, Bankstown (BWU), and Sydney (SYD) airports.

The most affected existing flight paths include those departing Sydney to the north before turning west and north-west over suburban areas, as well as western departures from the east–west runway.

Flight path changes designed to meet different needs

In a statement, the Australian Government said the new flight paths have been designed to maximise safety while balancing airport growth with the needs of communities on the ground.

The government owns Western Sydney Airport, while its agency, Airservices Australia, is responsible for managing flight paths within the country’s airspace.

“With two major airports sharing Sydney’s airspace, there will be a small reshuffle in the skies to accommodate new flights operating in and out of Western Sydney,” said Transport Minister Catherine King. “We’ve worked to get the balance right.”

The government also plans to shift most of the relatively small number of aircraft operating at Sydney Airport during curfew hours (between 11pm and 5.30am) to Western Sydney Airport under a reciprocal runway operations regime.

While Sydney Airport is nominally closed during curfew, it continues to accept air ambulances, some authorised low-noise freight flights, small propeller aircraft, corporate jets, and delayed commercial services.

King said the changes would help Sydney’s airports operate more efficiently while addressing residents’ concerns about aircraft noise.

An airspace advisory board will also be established to monitor noise and flight path issues during the early years of Western Sydney Airport’s operation.

dnata to open cargo facility at Western Sydney Airport

Sydney’s newest airport is expected to begin handling freighter flights in July. Qantas and Menzies have already established freight facilities, and this week dnata announced plans to invest AUD32 million (USD22.9 million) in a 5,000-square-metre warehouse at the site.

“Our investment in Western Sydney International reflects strong confidence in the region’s long-term economic trajectory and the critical role air freight plays in supporting Australian trade,” said Burt Sigsworth, dnata’s managing director of Australian airport operations

Once operational, dnata’s facility will add around 60,000 tonnes of annual cargo capacity to the airport.

Western Sydney Airport flights due to start in July

Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, and Jetstar have all committed to launching passenger services at Western Sydney Airport.

Air New Zealand will begin flights to and from Auckland (AKL) on 26 October, while Singapore Airlines plans to launch services to and from Singapore (SIN) on 23 November.

The Qantas Group carriers have yet to confirm firm start dates, and Virgin Australia has not formally committed to operating from the airport.

Earlier this week, Western Sydney Airport engaged regional operator Airlink to conduct a series of test flights to validate its two instrument landing systems. The programme involved repeated runway approaches as part of certification requirements.

Western Sydney Airport chief executive Simon Hickey said the airport would not become a major hub overnight, but activity would steadily increase ahead of its official opening.

“We’re not trying to get there by day one. What we’re trying to do is grow over time,” he said.

Photo: Western Sydney Airport.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com