Arabic version: مطار سيدني الجديد يربك بعض المسافرين

According to ABC News, the opening of Western Sydney International Airport has caused confusion for some passengers, with travellers arriving at the new airport unaware that their flights were not using Sydney Airport. The $5.6 billion airport began operating passenger flights on Sunday, giving Sydney two airports.

Julie Lundmark, from Sweden, travelled to Melbourne for the weekend from Sydney Airport but discovered that her Jetstar return flight, JQ373, had landed at Western Sydney International Airport. She said she and her friend did not initially know where they were after looking out of the window, then checking a map.

Lundmark said she had looked at the airport name on her boarding pass days earlier. Because she did not recognise “west airport”, she searched online and was taken to the usual Sydney Airport. Her car was parked at the other airport, leaving her and her friend seeking a way back. She said the trip to Sydney Airport would take two hours and hoped a friend with a car could help.

Another passenger arriving on flight NZ165 from Auckland said he had believed he was travelling to Western Australia. He said he saw “Western Sydney” and thought it meant Western Australia, although he realised before departure that the flight was not going to Perth.

Public transport to the new airport currently relies on buses and a free shuttle to and from St Marys station because a metro service has not been completed. Three domestic Jetstar flights were scheduled for the day, while Air New Zealand flights marked the first international departure and arrivals. Seven carriers have signed up to operate at WSI, with Singapore flights due to begin soon and Nadi, Ho Chi Minh City and Doha also listed as future destinations.