Image: Concept image of WSI Airport
New flight paths for the incoming Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport have been announced after two years of planning and community consultation.
The Western Sydney Airport is being built in the suburb of Badgerys Creek, 41 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD and will be able to accommodate around 10 million passengers when it opens its doors in late 2026.
On Wednesday, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King approved the preliminary flight paths for WSI, incorporating some changes aimed at reducing overnight noise in parts of Western Sydney.
The initial flight paths for WSI were first announced in 2023, followed by the public exhibition of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from 24 October 2023 to 31 January 2024. The final EIS, detailing WSI’s airspace and flight path design was published in November 2024.
“When making this decision, the needs of the community have been front of mind, which is why I have imposed a number of additional measures to ensure the impact on residents and the environment is minimised. These measures represent the most comprehensive of their kind for any airspace development in Australia,” Minister King said.
Transport minister addresses community concerns over WSI’s noise impact
Transport Minister King announced a directive to Airservices Australia to prioritise ‘Reciprocal Runway Operations’ at night, using a ‘Noise Abatement Procedure’ when “safe to do so”. This will minimise noise impact on communities, including avoiding the Blue Mountains, Wallacia, and densely populated areas of Western Sydney.
MP King’s authorisation also incorporated recommendations by the Minister for Environment that the airport lessee company, WSA Co, establish an environmental monitoring program to monitor the impacts of aircraft noise within and adjacent to the Greater Blue Mountains Area.
She called this an “important step” to ensure the protection of the Greater Blue Mountains Area’s natural and cultural significance.
“It is in addition to the community noise monitoring program that will be undertaken by Airservices, who will soon begin consultation with local communities on the location of noise monitors,” MP King said.
Additionally, a community engagement forum will also be established to monitor and resolve aircraft noise and flight path issues during the early years of operation. This will connect WSA Co, Airservices Australia, and the community, and is in addition to the Community Aviation Consultation Group that WSA Co will establish to “operate on matters relevant to the airport”.
About the Western Sydney International Airport
Key features of the Western Sydney International Airport include:
- WSI will operate as a 24-hour international airport
- Designed to cater growing demand for air travel, particularly in the rapidly expanding Western Sydney region
- Additional aviation capacity in the broader Sydney region
- More accessible and convenient international and domestic airport facility for the large and growing population of Western Sydney
- Long term economic and employment opportunities in the surrounding area
- Accelerating the development of critical infrastructure and urban development.
When the Airport first opens, passengers using Western Sydney International Airport will have options to travel to the Sydney CBD, including:
- A toll-free M12 connecting to Sydney’s motorway network via the M7.
- Express buses connecting to Parramatta, Campbelltown, Penrith and Liverpool.
- The Sydney Metro Greater West rail service connecting with Sydney’s rail network at St Marys station.
According to the WSI’s website, WSI will not have a curfew because the surrounding land has been protected from medium and high-density development for decades. This is due to the long-term planning of the site as a potential location for a major airport.
WSI is also set to eventually become Sydney’s largest international gateway, handling over 80 million passengers a year, comparable to London’s Heathrow airport today.
Local residents who live near the WSI site can provide feedback about the construction on the 24/7 toll-free feedback line 1800 951 171.
For more information about the flight path development process, visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development website.
You May Also Like
