One of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) promises big things.
At a cost of $5.3 billion, its construction has already created thousands of jobs, with thousands more expected when WSI opens to international, domestic and air cargo flights in 2026.
Set to become NSW’s only 24/7 airport, the future hub also has designs on becoming Australia’s largest air travel hub.
“WSI is being designed for growth and will eventually become Sydney’s biggest airport,” WSI CEO Simon Hickey said in June.
“We have a roadmap to grow to 82 million annual passengers, around the size of the world’s major airports, such as Dubai and London Heathrow.”
While it’ll be many years before WSI sees anywhere near that many flyers, it expects to welcome at least 4 million passengers in its inaugural year on the back of its first airline deals – with Qantas and Jetstar. And you can expect more carriers to come on board soon.
What’s going on with hotels?
So with this bustle, when planes are flying in and out sans curfews, it’s reasonable to expect plenty of accommodation options for travellers.
The airport has already unveiled plans for at least one property close to the airport: a ten-storey, 154-room hotel in the hub’s adjacent Business Precinct.
And with 10 million passengers set to use the airport every year by 2030, WSI says it is “confident that the Western Sydney business and tourism community will be taking advantage of the opportunities the airport will deliver on its doorstep”.
“Providing a range of accommodation options is important and we expect to see activity in this space ahead of the airport’s opening,” a WSI spokesperson told Karryon.
In the meantime, Penrith opened its first five-star hotel, the 153-room Pullman Sydney Penrith, in August – although this is located 20 minutes from the airport, so hardly constitutes an “airport hotel”.
Elsewhere, WSI points to a number of other hotels under construction “around the airport (in South-West Sydney)”.
Most promising is the Courtyard by Marriott Western Sydney Airport, which as the name suggests, will be located within the airport precinct.
Among the 10 projects in the planning or development application stage in Western Sydney are two new Liverpool hotels (including one Meriton property), two Campbelltown hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn Penrith and several other hotels in Fairfield, Warwick Farm and Camden.
Travel agent concerns
However, at least one Australian travel advisor thinks WSI is failing in the accommodation space.
“As we eagerly prepare to facilitate bookings for upcoming flights, a pressing question looms large – accommodation options. With flights soon to be accessible on GDS systems, travellers will undoubtedly seek suitable lodging for early morning departures. Shockingly, within a 15-kilometre radius, there is an absolute dearth of airport accommodation!” said the mobile/home-based agent, who doesn’t want to be named.
“There is little point in creating a world-class airport without adequate accommodation options. Conversations with hoteliers at a recent event revealed their astonishment at the complete lack of accommodations remotely close to the new airport.”
The Sydney-based travel advisor, who specialises in the luxury travel space, says the distance of most of the hotels will prove “discouraging for many passengers who find it impractical to stay so far from the airport”.
“Why would travellers want to venture 30 minutes away when there could be an abundance of close amenities and hotel opportunities readily available?” they told Karryon.
“It’s time for the travel industry to make a resounding statement to the government and those involved in the new developments – we have a voice in this conundrum.
“Addressing this issue and providing multiple hotel choices would enhance the overall travel experience for passengers and promote a thriving and competitive airport environment.”
For more information on WSI, click here.
