New £2.7billion mega airport to open in long-haul hotspot will ‘rival London’ – with huge four-story terminal
A NEW mega airport is set to open in a Brit-loved hotspot.
The AUD$5.3billion (£2.7billion) West Sydney International is set to open in 2026, offering more options for tourists heading to the city.
The airport will be built 30 miles west of the city.
Initial designs were created by the famous Zaha Hadid Architects in London, along with Cox Architecture in Australia, with construction using local-based Multiplex.
The airport will be able to handle 10million passengers, although said there is space to expand further in the future up to 82million.
This includes both domestic and international flights, which will operate 24 hours a day.
Qantas has already confirmed that they will operate from the airport, being the first domestic airline in 2023 to confirm.
An estimated four million passengers will be served by Qantas, working out to 25,000 flights a year.
This was followed by Singapore Airlines who will offer long-haul flights..
Inside will be a four-story terminal as well as a huge departures, arrivals and shopping region.
The 7,000sqm space will have around 40 outlets, with another 4,000sqm of lounge space in departures.
A large “multi-brand” store will join the multiple food and drink stores, along with pop up zones and.
A direct Metro station outside the airport will take passengers from the entrance to the city centre.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey: “We have a clear roadmap to become Sydney’s largest airport and primary international gateway in the years to come.
“In fact, by 2063, WSI will be handling approximately 80 million annual passengers – that’s akin to the size of Hong Kong and London’s Heathrow airports today.”
The current Sydney Airport was founded in 1919, making it one of the world’s oldest.
Despite a number of renovations over the years, it is unable to expand much further due to its location.
It’s not the only mega airport wanting to open in the next few years.
Poland’s Warsaw Solidarity Airport hopes to open by 2032, with works starting by 2026.
Initially welcoming 40million passengers a year, it will be extended by 2060 to welcome 65million a year.
Cambodia has revealed plans for a £1.1billion new airport, with 30million passengers by 2030.
The Sun's Assitant Travel Editor on why Sydney is a great place to go
The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski lived in Sydney and recently revisted.
Straddling the sweeping shores of Australia’s east coast, it’s not just the warm weather that makes Sydney one of the best (and one of my favourite) cities in the world.
There are breathtakingly beautiful beaches littered with surfers just a fifteen-minute drive from a bustling shopping district and a harbour that’s home to one of the world’s most famous pieces of architecture: the Sydney Opera House.
If you’ve never been, think Barcelona, but bigger and better – blending mellow beaches with city skyscrapers and energetic nightlife.
Its food and drink scene is up there with the other major culinary destinations like New York, Rome and our capital London.
Try the Sydney Rock Oysters, a local delicacy in the city – you can even sample them in a martini at Dean & Nancy on 22, made from gin that’s distilled with oyster shells which give the cocktail a salty zing.
Set aside a day to walk the coastal trail from Bondi to Cooggee at the beginning of your trip, too. Apart from having beautiful views every step of the way, you’ll discover a few more secluded beaches that feel more laidback than the busy shores of Bondi.
And the world’s biggest airport is set to open by 2030.
King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will see 120million passengers a year.