Gina Rinehart And Pauline Hanson Among Private Jet Owners Barred From Western Sydney Airport

Private jets owned by some of Australia’s wealthiest individuals will not be permitted to operate from Western Sydney International Airport when it opens, with the new airport initially restricted to passenger and air cargo services. This includes Gina Rinehart, as well as Pauline Hanson on her donated jet.

The airport, located at Badgerys Creek, is scheduled to begin operations in October and will serve the Western Sydney region, which has a population of almost three million people.

A Western Sydney Airport spokeswoman said the facility’s focus was on domestic and international passenger services and freight operations.

“As a capital city international airport, WSI’s focus is on providing domestic and international passenger services and boosting Sydney’s critical air cargo capacity,” the spokeswoman said.

“WSI launch operations will therefore not include general aviation facilities.”

The restriction means business jets, helicopters and other general aviation aircraft will not be able to use the airport, except in emergency situations where Airservices Australia controllers may prioritise an urgent landing.

Australian Business Aviation Association chief executive Jessica Graham said the decision was unusual among Australian airports.

“It is difficult to think of another non-military airport in Australia that expressly excludes general aviation,” Ms Graham said.

She said existing facilities at Bankstown and Camden airports could not provide the same capabilities as Western Sydney International.

“Both are important in their own way, but neither has the runway characteristics or navigational aids to safely support large business jets,” Ms Graham said.

Western Sydney International has a 3.7-kilometre runway, while the longest runways at Bankstown and Camden are 1.4 kilometres.

The restriction affects aircraft including Gulfstream and Bombardier business jets. Mining executives Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest, technology entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes and businessman Laurence Escalante are among owners of aircraft that would not be able to operate from the airport.

The ban also applies to Pauline Hanson’s Cirrus G7 jet, which was donated by Ms Rinehart.

Veteran aviator Dick Smith criticised the lack of general aviation facilities, saying it did not align with the legacy of Australian aviation pioneer Nancy Bird-Walton.

“She would be rolling in her grave,” Mr Smith said.

Western Sydney Airport said emergency access arrangements would remain available, while ongoing discussions with the aviation sector would continue.