Qantas Group and Western Sydney International Airport have reached a landmark agreement that will see both Qantas and Jetstar operating domestic flights from the new airport when it opens in late 2026.
The Qantas Group plans to operate up to 15 narrowbody aircraft, 10 Jetstar and five Qantas, from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) within the first year, flying domestic routes such as Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
It is expected these aircraft will carry around four million passengers through WSI per annum on more than 25,000 flights. The airport will create around 700 operational jobs opportunities.
Proud to sign the agreement with airport Alan Joyce, Group Chief Executive, Qantas said: “In just over three years Qantas and Jetstar will take off from Western Sydney connecting one of Australia’s fastest growing areas through direct flights across the country. As we take delivery of more aircraft and expand our fleet, we see Western Sydney Airport as a significant growth opportunity for the Group, which will complement our existing operations in the Sydney basin and nationally.”
Western Sydney International Airport is on track to become the sixth biggest airport for the Group within its first year of operation. The airport has big strategic advantages with no curfew, technology that allows aircraft to be turned around quickly and a next-generation baggage system.
“Our data shows that more than two million trips per year are taken by people who live in the Western Sydney catchment so we know there will be demand for these flights from day one. Jetstar has a long history of stimulating demand when it starts flying to new destinations through low fares, so expect to see some great value travel options,” Joyce added.
Commenting on the partnership, Simon Hickey, Chief Executive, WSI said: “This is a substantial Qantas and Jetstar presence at Sydney’s new major airport. We’re enabling WSI with the latest technology, which will deliver an easier and more seamless travel experience. 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.”
The airport and airlines have agreed to work together to develop projects in Western Sydney that can supply SAF to WSI which can be used to power flights.