Captured Travel With just months until Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) officially welcomes its first passengers, a select group of Australian travel industry professionals has been given a rare behind-the-scenes look at what promises to be one of the country’s most significant aviation developments in decades.
Hosted by Singapore Airlines, 25 members from 13 CT Partners businesses recently toured the soon-to-open Terminal 1, gaining exclusive access to the airport’s cutting-edge facilities and learning how the new gateway will transform travel in and out of Sydney.
For many attendees, the visit provided a glimpse into the future of Australian aviation.
A smarter airport from day one
Unlike traditional airports that have evolved over time, Western Sydney International has been designed from the ground up as a smart airport, integrating technology throughout every stage of the passenger journey.
The tour, led by Helen De Nuntiss, Manager Airline Business Development at WSI, showcased the terminal’s advanced check-in technology, baggage automation systems, security processes and passenger facilities. Attendees also explored both landside and airside operations before stepping onto the tarmac to see the scale of the development firsthand.
The airport has been designed to streamline the passenger experience, with domestic and international travellers sharing check-in and security screening areas before international passengers proceed through immigration. The result is a more efficient and seamless journey designed to reduce wait times and improve connectivity.
Built for the future
The numbers behind Western Sydney International are impressive.
Spanning 1,780 hectares, the site is approximately twice the size of Sydney Airport and features a 3.7-kilometre runway capable of accommodating aircraft up to the Airbus A380. Opening with the capacity to handle 10 million passengers annually, the airport has a long-term vision of servicing up to 82 million passengers each year.
Future plans include three additional passenger terminals and a dedicated Business Precinct, positioning WSI as a major economic and transport hub for Greater Sydney.
Perhaps most significantly for travellers, the airport will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without a curfew — a feature expected to dramatically improve flight scheduling and international connection opportunities.
Singapore Airlines leads the way
Singapore Airlines was the first international carrier to commit to operating from Western Sydney International and will launch daily services between Sydney and Singapore from 23 November 2026.
The airline will operate Airbus A350-900 aircraft featuring both Business and Economy Class cabins, with schedules designed to maximise onward connections through Singapore Changi Airport’s extensive global network.
The late-night departures made possible by WSI’s curfew-free operations will allow travellers to connect seamlessly with more than 130 destinations across the Singapore Airlines network.
Rosanna Piaggio, Manager Agency Sales at Singapore Airlines, said the airline is excited to be part of this milestone for Australian aviation.
‘The flexibility of a curfew-free departure and arrival time into Singapore Changi Airport allows our customers to take full advantage of our entire Singapore Airlines network connecting to over 130 destinations across the globe,’ she said.
A game-changer for travellers
CT Partners CEO Matt Masson believes the new airport will reshape travel options for both leisure and corporate travellers.
‘Western Sydney International Airport is going to be a genuine game-changer,’ he said. ‘The curfew-free operations alone open up a new world of options for clients with better connection times, more flexibility and a travel experience built around the passenger rather than operational constraints.’
As the countdown to opening continues, Western Sydney International is already generating excitement across the travel industry. For travellers, it represents more choice, greater convenience and a new gateway connecting Sydney to the world.