The New Western Sydney Airport: What’s Happening At Bankstown

Sydney’s west is changing fast, and at the heart of it all is a brand-new airport that’s set to redefine how we travel. For locals across Bankstown, Liverpool and Penrith, it’s the start of a new economic and lifestyle chapter for the entire region. Construction of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) is well underway at Badgerys Creek, with flights expected to take off from late 2026.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sydney’s second airport, how it will work, and what it means for Western Sydney.

Know what you want? Skip to

• Where Is the New Western Sydney Airport Being Built?
• When Will the Airport Open & Who Will Fly There?
• How Will It Change Travel For Sydneysiders?

Where Is the New Western Sydney Airport Being Built?

The Western Sydney International Airport is taking shape across 1,800 hectares of terrain in Badgerys Creek, around 50 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD. It forms part of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, a growing precinct that will eventually include logistics hubs, business parks, and educational campuses.

While it’s often associated with nearby Bankstown, the two airports will serve different roles: WSI will operate as a full-service, curfew-free airport handling international, domestic, and freight flights, while Bankstown Airport remains a major base for light aviation, manufacturing, and logistics.

The project broke ground in September 2018, with earthworks now nearly complete. Massive groundwork has reshaped the site, including the relocation of heritage sites, cemeteries, and high-voltage powerlines to prepare for runway and terminal construction.

The airport is being delivered by the Western Sydney Airport Corporation (WSA Co)—a Commonwealth-owned company tasked with overseeing design, construction, and long-term operations. Environmental planning has been a major focus, with measures guided by the 2015–16 Environmental Impact Statement, which sets strict standards for noise, biodiversity, and air quality management.

When Will the Airport Open & Who Will Fly There?

The countdown is officially on: Western Sydney International is expected to open in late 2026 with a single 3.7-kilometre runway and a dual-use terminal that can switch between domestic and international operations.

In a major announcement, WSI has confirmed its first airline partners:

• Qantas
• Singapore Airlines
• Air New Zealand
• Jetstar

Together, these leading carriers will offer both international links across Asia and Oceania and expanded domestic routes for local travellers.

Because the airport will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it’ll open up a world of red-eye and late-night flight options currently off-limits at Kingsford Smith. More competition also means potentially lower airfares, especially on popular domestic routes.

With aviation demand expected to double over the next 20 years, WSI will play a crucial role in supporting Sydney’s growth. It is expected to create thousands of jobs, and connect Western Sydney’s fast-expanding population (forecast to hit three million by the 2030s) to the rest of the world.

Insider intel

• If you’re wondering when to start booking flights, keep an eye out from mid-2025, when airlines are expected to release their first WSI schedules and fare sales.

How Will It Change Travel For Sydneysiders?

For locals, the biggest difference will be how easy it is to get there. The new M12 Motorway, due to open in 2026, will connect directly from the M7 to the airport. Bonus? It’s toll-free. That means smooth, quick access for drivers from Bankstown (40 min), Parramatta (35 min), or Penrith (25 min).

Public transport is getting a major boost too. The Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport line will link the airport to St Marys Station via Orchard Hills, Luddenham, and Bradfield, with trains expected to start running in 2027. Until then, express bus routes from Liverpool, Campbelltown, and Penrith will fill the gap when flights begin.

It’s also a huge win for regional tourism—with the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, and Southern Highlands suddenly more accessible to visitors flying directly into Western Sydney.

And while WSI transforms Badgerys Creek, Bankstown is going through its own evolution. The Bankstown Airport Collaboration Area (a partnership between the NSW Government and local council) is turning the area into a health, education, and innovation precinct. Backed by a $1.3 billion new hospital, a Western Sydney University campus, and the Sydney Metro City & Southwest line, it’s set to deliver 25,000 jobs and attract 25,000 students by 2036.

Insider intel

• Travellers can expect less congestion than at Mascot, shorter check-in times, cheaper fares as new airlines compete, and later and earlier departures thanks to 24-hour operation.

For now, keep an eye on flight path maps, environmental updates, and engagement opportunities online. 

Image credit: Western Sydney Airport | Instagram