Western Sydney Airport (Nancy-Bird Walton) has hit a pivotal point with the official unveiling of its brand-new terminal, signalling the completion of major construction works and bringing Sydney’s new 24-hour airport one step closer to take-off.
At today’s unveiling, WSI CEO Simon Hickey was joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and senior executives from Qantas Group, Singapore Airlines, Menzies Aviation and dnata Catering and Retail to mark the occasion.
Hickey paid tribute to the design and construction teams behind the project, including COX Architecture, Zaha Hadid Architects, Multiplex, Woods Bagot and Bechtel.
“Global architecture leaders Zaha Hadid Architects, based in London, and one of our nation’s top firms COX Architecture were selected to develop the initial design concepts of WSI following a competition in 2019 that attracted more than 40 international and domestic proposals,” Hickey stated.
“Fast forward six years and WSI is on the precipice of launching a seamless and stress-free airport experience unlike any other in Australia, giving our global city a 24-hour international gateway that will continue to create significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney.”
What to expect
Drawing inspiration from the Greater Blue Mountains and Cumberland Plain, the new terminal reflects Western Sydney’s natural landscape and Indigenous heritage, according to WSI. Among its eco-friendly features are a climate-responsive façade, over 6,000 solar panels and a water recycling system.
“Visitors will be welcomed by the stories of Dharug country that will connect the world with more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture while also highlighting the vibrant communities of Western Sydney,” Hickey remarked.
“People will love spending time in this terminal as they enjoy the iconic vistas of the surrounding Blue Mountains that are reflected in our stunning feature ceiling and take in the thoughtful design and materials like the extensive use of beautiful sandstone that was sourced from a quarry on the Central Coast,” he said.
Woods Bagot Principal and Design Lead for WSI Neil Hill said, “The terminal offers a constantly evolving visual experience and sense of joy as passengers move through the space and experience the intricate detail at a human scale – while elsewhere you might find yourself in a soaring triple-height void with uncluttered panoramic views.”
“The interplay of natural light through strategic openings, soft undulating curves, thoughtful colour selection, and varied materials creates a different perspective from every vantage point.”
Perhaps most importantly, passengers will benefit from next-gen technology enabling faster processing, while domestic and international gates sit conveniently under one roof.
WSI says it has already spent more than $500 million with Western Sydney businesses, with thousands of workers contributing to the project.
“WSI has been the catalyst for billions in investment in the region and has helped create thousands of local jobs during construction and will bring even more opportunities across our precinct and the surrounding Bradfield City and Aerotropolis once the airport opens,” Hickey said.
“Since the first sod was turned, nearly half our workforce has hailed from Western Sydney, with around a third learning on the job, so the region should be immensely proud of this new terminal as so many workers, businesses, manufacturers, and suppliers have literally helped bring it to life. This is their legacy.”
With the terminal shell complete, retail fit-outs and lounges will be finalised ahead of WSI’s late 2026 opening.
The terminal unveiling follows the completion of WSI’s runway and key airside infrastructure last week. The works, which include taxiways, lighting, drainage, fencing and landscaping, marked the first finished major piece of the future 24/7 Western Sydney Airport.
Yesterday, Air New Zealand was revealed as the newest airline to sign on to operate flights into Western Sydney, joining Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines as confirmed carriers for WSI.
