Sydney's new 24-hour airport secures SIA as first international airline

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) - Australia's new 24-hour airport - has secured Singapore Airlines (SIA) as its first international airline, the airport said on August 27, 2024. ""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,"" said WSI CEO Simon Hickey. He said the late-night departure capacity at the airport allowed for business customers of airlines such as SIA to ""finish a full day's work"" in the city before taking a red-eye flight back to their respective country. He added that the addition of SIA allows ""passengers to transit more swiftly from Singapore"" through Changi Airport hub. ""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,"" Hickey added. SIA regional vice president south west Pacific Louis Arul commented: ""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. ""This is a unique opportunity to work with a greenfield airport to set a new base line for customer experience throughout an airport ecosystem."" The two parties had signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 to explore mutual commercial opportunities. The airport build is 80% complete, according to Hickey. It is on track to begin domestic, international, cargo operations in late 2026.