Arabic version: مطار غرب سيدني يطلق أول رحلة تجارية
According to The Guardian, Jetstar’s JQ362 became the inaugural commercial flight from the newly opened Western Sydney International Airport, carrying 188 passengers to the Gold Coast on Sunday.
The $5.3bn greenfield airport development, more than 40 years in the making, occupies a site that was once farmland. Its terminals include local sandstone panels, landscaped areas and a car park. A metro station serving the airport has been delayed until at least December 2027.
Jetstar said 30 seats on the inaugural service were reserved for media and VIP guests, while the remaining 158 seats sold out in 45 minutes. Passengers included aviation enthusiasts and western Sydney residents, with many gathering in orange Jetstar hats to watch the departure.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese described the opening as an “extraordinary day” at an event attended by politicians and members of the family of pioneering aviator Nancy Bird-Walton, for whom the airport is named. On board the Airbus A320 Neo, first officer Aglaya Papadokokolakis of Blacktown called the flight a “pinch me moment”.
Six airlines have committed to operate from the airport after Jetstar. Air New Zealand is scheduled to fly the first international service on Monday, while Jetstar chief executive Steph Tully said the airline had added Gold Coast services and was considering Bali flights.
