Sydney's Dual Airport System: How It Works

Sydney is set to be home to two airports with the construction of the Western Sydney International Airport. The new airport is being built to meet the growing demand for aviation services in the region, which is expected to double over the next 20 years. The current airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, is one of the world's busiest and operates close to capacity. It is also constrained by its location near residential areas, resulting in an overnight curfew. The new airport in Western Sydney will help support the region's growth and improve transport connections for businesses and travellers.

Sydney's aviation needs

However, with demand for aviation services in the region expected to double over the next 20 years, Kingsford Smith Airport will not be able to meet Sydney's long-term aviation needs. This is due to the airport's proximity to residential areas, which has resulted in an overnight curfew, as well as its constrained space.

To address this issue, a new airport, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is currently under construction. This new airport will support the region's growth and enhance business connections to national and international markets. It will also provide world-class transport systems and economic benefits.

In addition to these two major airports, Sydney also has several other airports catering to different needs, including general aviation, freight, and recreational flights. These include Bankstown Airport, Camden Airport, Palm Beach Water Airport, Rose Bay Water Airport, and The Oaks Airfield.

Sydney Airport's location

Sydney currently has one primary airport, the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), which is located on the northern shores of Botany Bay in the suburb of Mascot. It is about 9km from the city centre and is accessible by train, bus, car, taxi, or ride-share. The airport has three terminals, divided into two precincts: Terminal 1 (International), Terminal 2 (Domestic, for airlines other than Qantas), and Terminal 3 (Qantas Domestic).

In addition to the main airport, there are several other airports in the Greater Sydney area, including Bankstown Airport, Camden Airport, Palm Beach Water Airport, Rose Bay Water Airport, and Western Sydney Airport (currently under construction). These airports primarily serve general aviation, freight, and recreational purposes.

To meet the growing aviation needs of Sydney, a new airport, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is being constructed. This new airport will help support the region's growth and provide world-class transport systems, improved business links, and economic benefits. It is expected to cater to the increasing demand for aviation services in Sydney, which is forecast to double over the next 20 years.

Western Sydney Airport

Sydney currently has one main airport, Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport), which is located 8-9km from the city centre. It is Australia's busiest airport and has been operating since 1919. However, due to its proximity to the city and the surrounding urban growth, expansion of the airport is challenging and concerns have been raised about its ability to meet Sydney's future aviation needs.

To address this issue, a second airport, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is currently under construction in the suburbs of Luddenham and Badgerys Creek. The site for this new airport was designated by the Federal Government in April 2014, after decades of debate over the location of a second airport in Greater Sydney. The first stage of construction began in September 2018, and the airport is expected to be operational by 2026.

Western Sydney International will be a world-class, smart airport designed to service 10 million passengers annually. It will operate 24 hours a day without any curfews, supplementing the existing Kingsford Smith Airport, which has a legislated curfew and flight caps in place. The new airport will introduce thousands of job opportunities and is expected to create 35,000 jobs by 2035, increasing to 60,000 jobs over time.

The airport will be a full-service facility, providing international, domestic, and freight services. It will also be a catalyst for major new infrastructure in Western Sydney, with new motorways, train lines, and upgraded roads improving accessibility to the area. The airport is part of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan, which aims to create a thriving economic centre and contribute to 200,000 new jobs in the region.

The construction of Western Sydney International is a significant development, addressing the growing aviation demands of Sydney and providing a gateway for national and international visitors and businesses.

Sydney's busiest airport

Sydney has many airports, but Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, colloquially known as Mascot Airport, is the busiest in the city and the country. It is located on the northern shores of Botany Bay in the suburb of Mascot, just 8-9 km from the Sydney central business district. It is the primary airport serving Sydney and is a hub for Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar.

Sydney Airport is one of the world's longest continuously operated commercial airports and was the 48th busiest airport in the world in 2022. It handled 42.6 million passengers and 348,904 aircraft movements in 2016-17 and currently serves 46 domestic and 43 international destinations directly. In 2018, it was voted the 20th best airport in the world at the Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The airport has three runways and three passenger terminals. Terminal 1, also known as the International Terminal, serves all international flights and is separated from the other two domestic terminals (Terminals 2 and 3) by runway 16R/34L. Terminal 2 is a domestic terminal used by several airlines, including FlyPelican, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. Terminal 3 is a domestic terminal serving primarily Qantas and QantasLink flights.

Sydney Airport is accessible by train, bus, car, taxi, and rideshare services. It is well-connected to the city centre, with trains departing every 10 minutes and taking about 8-17 minutes to reach Central Station and Circular Quay. The airport also offers various shopping, dining, and other amenities for travellers, making it a convenient and efficient transport hub for Sydney.

While Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is the city's primary and busiest airport, there are plans for a second major airport in Western Sydney, expected to be completed in late 2026. This new airport will help meet the growing aviation demands of the region and support its economic development.

Sydney Airport's terminals

Sydney Airport, also known as Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, is the primary airport serving Sydney, Australia. It is located in the suburb of Mascot, about 8-10 km from the city centre. It is the busiest airport in Oceania, handling about 42 million passengers and 348,904 aircraft movements in 2016-17.

Sydney Airport has three terminals: one international terminal (T1) and two domestic terminals (T2 and T3). The international terminal is separated from the domestic terminals by runway 16R/34L, so passengers connecting between international and domestic flights should allow for longer transfer times of 30 minutes to an hour or more.

T1 International Terminal

The international terminal is located in the airport's northwestern sector. It was officially opened on 3 May 1970 and has been expanded several times since then. The terminal has 25 gates served by aerobridges, with 13 in Pier B and 12 in Pier C. Qantas, all Oneworld members, and all SkyTeam members (except Delta Air Lines) use Pier B, while Pier C is used by Virgin Australia and its partners (including Delta) as well as all Star Alliance members. The terminal building has three levels, with one each for arrivals, departures, and airline offices. The departure level has 20 rows of check-in desks, each with 10 single desks, making a total of 200 check-in desks. The terminal also hosts eight airline lounges, including two for Qantas.

T2 Domestic Terminal

Terminal 2 is a domestic terminal located in the airport's northeastern section. It was first opened in 1939-1940 as the terminal building for Australian National Airways (ANA) and was later expanded and upgraded several times. Today, it features 20 parking bays served by aerobridges and several remote bays for regional aircraft. Airlines that operate from this terminal include FlyPelican, Jetstar, Link Airways, Rex Airlines, and Virgin Australia. There are lounges for Rex Airlines and Virgin Australia.

T3 Domestic Terminal

Terminal 3 is the other domestic terminal, also located in the airport's northeastern section, adjacent to Terminal 2. It was built in 1974 and has been extended several times since then. There are 14 parking bays served by aerobridges, including two served by dual aerobridges. Terminal 3 features a large Qantas Club lounge, along with a dedicated Business Class and Chairman's lounge. Qantas and QantasLink flights operate from this terminal.

Transferring Between Terminals

The T1 International Terminal and the T2/T3 Domestic Terminals are located a short ride away from each other, and there are several ways to transfer between them. The T-Bus is a complimentary shuttle bus service that operates every 30 minutes and takes about 10 minutes. The trip between terminals can also be made by train, on foot, or using a paid taxi or rideshare service.

Frequently asked questions