The next piece of the WSI puzzle has been filled, with Singapore Airlines revealed as the first international airline to operate at Western Sydney Airport (Nancy-Bird Walton).
The securement of a major carrier like SQ as its first overseas airline partner is a coup for Western Sydney Airport. And as NSW’s only 24/7 hub, WSI CEO Simon Hickey says the partnership will allow both the airline and travellers to take advantage of the facility’s unique scheduling opportunities.
“This inaugural international airline arrangement is a fantastic milestone for Western Sydney International Airport and reflects the positive response we’ve had from airlines, especially in regard to the unprecedented opportunities our 24-hour capability unlocks,” he said.
“Western Sydney International Airport’s late-night departure capacity, for instance, could allow Singapore Airlines’ business travellers to finish a full day’s work in Sydney, take an overnight flight and arrive in Singapore before their first morning meeting the very next day.
“Late-night departures could also allow passengers to transit more swiftly from Singapore through their award-winning Changi Airport hub to connect to one of the 125 destinations served by the Singapore Airlines Group.”
Hickey said WSI is focused on providing a streamlined experience for flyers using the latest technology. This is another reason why Singapore Airlines chose the airport.
“Our combined international and domestic terminal will give Singapore Airlines customers a seamless transfer experience, while our state-of-the-art baggage system and efficient design, including five-minute taxi times on the tarmac, means passengers will be able to get on their flight faster and relax and enjoy the award-winning service on board,” he remarked.
According to WSI, the new pact will make it easier for people in the area, a magnet of multiculturalism, to visit family and friends overseas.
“With the airport build now more than 80 per cent progressed – including the recent completion of our terminal roof – and today’s step forward to advance international airline negotiations, our diverse communities can really get a sense of their future airport, and the experience they’ll have flying from here in late 2026,” he stated.
Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Louis Arul, said called the partnership “a unique opportunity to work with a greenfield airport to set a new base line for customer experience throughout an airport ecosystem”.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to enhancing network connectivity for travellers to and from Sydney, and providing additional services for Australia, which is a major market for the Singapore Airlines Group,” he noted.
“We are working closely with WSI to ensure that our customers will continue to enjoy the comprehensive, end-to-end, world-class experience that is synonymous with Singapore Airlines.”
The new deal follows a previous agreement signed in 2023 by the two parties to explore the airport’s future operations.
In June 2023, Qantas and Jetstar were announced as the first airlines to sign up to Western Sydney Airport, with both carriers agreeing to operate domestic flights out of the hub when it opens in late 2026.
