Sydney’s Western Sydney International airport opens with only a handful of scheduled flights

Sydney's A$5.6 billion (US$3.9 billion) second airport will take its first passengers on Oct. 25 with half a dozen or fewer scheduled flights a day for the next 12 months, Bloomberg reported, citing aviation data company Cirium.

Western Sydney International is already drawing unfavorable comparisons with airports elsewhere that ultimately failed to live up to expectations.

After more than half a century of political procrastination, environmental protests and funding shortfalls, Sydney finally has a second airport. But the new A$5.6 billion (US$4 billion) site’s commercial prospects are already in question. Western Sydney International, 50km (31 miles) inland from the city centre, will handle its first passenger flight on Sunday – a Jetstar service to the Gold Coast. But the facility has attracted only a handful of airlines and has half a dozen or fewer scheduled...

After more than half a century of political procrastination, environmental protests and funding shortfalls, Sydney finally has a second airport. But the new A$5.6 billion (US$4 billion) site’s commercial prospects are already in question. Western Sydney International, 50km (31 miles) inland from the city centre, will handle its first passenger flight on Sunday – a Jetstar service to the Gold Coast. But the facility has attracted only a handful of airlines and has half a dozen or fewer scheduled...