Western Sydney International Airport, in Badgerys Creek, is scheduled to open to passengers in October 2026, with airlines announcing the start of passenger flight operations. Multiple reports state that the opening follows a long development timeline, including years of planning and construction, along with a period of testing before the airport opens. One source notes the project spans about 15 years of planning, seven years of construction and a year of testing, and that the airport has now confirmed its passenger opening date.
Reporting also highlights the airport’s operating model. One outlet says the airport is planned to run 24 hours a day, which can provide greater scheduling flexibility for long-haul routes, including services to and from Asia and the Gulf—markets that also draw demand from European travellers. The announced opening timing is also framed as significant because it represents a major new airport opening in Sydney’s wider aviation network, expected to handle millions of travellers annually.
