Australia’s first major international airport in more than half a century will officially open and see its inaugural flights take to the skies today, ushering in a bold new era of aviation for the nation.

Welcoming its first passengers flying today with Jetstar, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) is set to transform the way Sydney-siders travel domestically and abroad, substantially boosting capacity, creating greater choice, and delivering 24-hour connectivity.

WSI CEO Simon Hickey will be joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, and NSW Premier Chris Minns to officially open WSI, marking a defining moment in Australia’s aviation history.

Mr Hickey said Western Sydney International’s launch and first passenger flight is an historic moment for Western Sydney and the thousands of people who’ve spent millions of hours bringing Australia’s new state-of-the-art airport to life.

“For decades, countless people have advocated for an airport in Western Sydney and the social and economic benefits it would provide. Today, that ambition will become a reality as we mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our city’s cultural heartland,” he said.

“WSI is the most transformational piece of infrastructure our nation has seen since the Syndey Harbour Bridge. It brings the world closer to Western Sydney and opportunity closer to home, creating new meaningful jobs for generations to come. Young people growing up in the West can now look to the sky and see their future is bright and right here, in their own backyard.”

Passengers travelling with Jetstar through WSI on its first domestic flights JQ365 to the Gold Coast and JQ375 to Melbourne, will experience a terminal designed from the ground up that incorporates modern aviation technology and has the needs of customers at its heart.

Domestic and international gates sit under one roof, while world-leading check-in, baggage and airfield technology helps deliver a seamless, stress-free experience for passengers and airlines.

“WSI is here to grow with Sydney for the coming century, expand choice for travellers and airlines, and connect more people with more places and opportunities,” Mr Hickey said.

“WSI’s passengers will be able to enjoy access to more than 250 destinations around the globe just over a year from now – a remarkable start for Sydney’s new 24-hour gateway.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “For the first time in more than 50 years, Australia is opening a major new airport. It’s a milestone that has been decades in the making and one that belongs to the people of Western Sydney.

“I’ve been a strong supporter of this project for a long time and I’m very proud to officially open it.

“I want to thank the thousands of workers who made it happen. This airport will make a real difference for Western Sydney, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and making it easier for people to travel for generations to come.”

WSI opens with capacity to cater for up to 10 million passengers a year and has been designed to grow with Sydney. Over time, it is expected to become Australia’s primary gateway, with capacity for more than 80 million passengers annually.

The airport’s 24-hour operations will add much-needed capacity to the Sydney aviation market and give airlines greater flexibility to introduce new services and routes. For travellers, that means more choice over when, where and how they fly.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, “It can’t be overstated how big a moment this is for Western Sydney, for its people, for its economy and its industries.

“Today is a real milestone in our country’s travel history, and with tomorrow seeing the first international flight leave the tarmac for Auckland- the sky is the limit.”

While WSI has been built for all of Sydney, it is proudly at home in Western Sydney – the nation’s third-largest economy and home to one in 10 Australians comprising more than 170 ancestries.

Passengers flying to and from WSI have a range of convenient transport options – from public bus links, taxi, rideshare, car rentals and extensive on-site parking – using newly upgraded roads, including the toll-free M12, providing efficient connectivity to the airport.

The opening of passenger services follows the commencement of operations at the WSI Cargo Precinct on 27 July. Since opening, Sydney’s only dedicated 24-hour aviation cargo hub has supported more than 1,000 flight movements carrying critical goods for consumers and businesses across NSW.