AUSTRALIA’S flag carrier will land in Sydney’s western suburbs, with Qantas Airways and sister brand Jetstar Airways the first airlines to officially sign up to the city’s new airport.
The agreement will see up to 15 narrowbody aircraft from Qantas and Jetstar brought to the region once Western Sydney Airport, which is on track to debut in 2026, opens its check-in lanes.
Ten aircraft from Jetstar and five from Qantas will operate from Western Sydney within the airport’s first year, flying domestic routes such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.
It is expected these aircraft will carry around four million passengers through Western Sydney per annum, on more than 25,000 flights.
Around 700 operational jobs are expected to be needed, with local recruitment to take place in the lead-up to the first flights.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King joined senior executives from Western Sydney and Qantas on a tour of the airport’s construction, which is now more than 50% complete.
Outgoing Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said QF is proud to sign an agreement with Western Sydney, which is on track to become the sixth biggest airport for the Group within its first year of operation.
“In just over three years Qantas and Jetstar will take off from Western Sydney, connecting one of Australia’s fastest growing areas through direct flights across the country,” Joyce said.
“As we take delivery of more aircraft and expand our fleet, we see Western Sydney Airport as a significant growth opportunity for the Group, which will complement our existing operations in the Sydney basin and nationally.
“Western Sydney International Airport has some big strategic advantages with no curfew, technology that allows aircraft to be turned around quickly, and a next-generation baggage system.”
Joyce said Qantas data shows more than two million trips per year are taken by people who live in Sydney’s western suburbs.
“We know there will be demand for these flights from day one,” he declared.
“Jetstar has a long history of stimulating demand when it starts flying to new destinations through low fares, so expect to see some great value travel options.”
Both airlines are also working with Western Sydney to use sustainable fuels to power the flights through projects in the region which can supply SAF to the airport.
