Sydney's Domestic Airport Count: How Many Are There?

Sydney is served by two airports: Kingsford Smith International Airport and Bankstown Airport. Sydney Airport, as it is commonly known, is the main airport in Sydney and the busiest airport in Australia. It is located just 8 kilometres south of the city centre and is the gateway to Australia for many international travellers. Bankstown Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller airport located in the southwestern suburbs of Sydney. It is primarily used for general aviation, charter flights, and flight training. Both airports play an important role in Sydney's aviation infrastructure, catering to both international and domestic travellers.

Sydney has two airports: Kingsford Smith International Airport and Bankstown Airport

Sydney, Australia's largest aviation hub, is served by two airports: Kingsford Smith International Airport and Bankstown Airport.

Kingsford Smith International Airport, also known as Sydney Airport, is the primary airport in Sydney and the busiest airport in Australia. Located just 8 kilometres south of the city centre, it serves as the gateway to Australia for many international travellers. The airport is well-equipped with three terminals catering to international, domestic, and regional flights, along with various amenities. Sydney Airport also accommodates both international and domestic air transport operations.

Bankstown Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller airport situated in the southwestern suburbs of Sydney. It primarily facilitates general aviation, freight, charter flights, and flight training. While it operates on a smaller scale compared to Kingsford Smith, it remains an integral component of Sydney's aviation network. Bankstown Airport offers a convenient option for travellers commuting to and from the southwestern areas of the city.

In addition to these two airports, Sydney also has a few other airfields and water airports, such as Camden Airport, Palm Beach Water Airport, and Rose Bay Water Airport. There is also a new airport under construction in Western Sydney, which is expected to open in 2026. This upcoming airport will further enhance Sydney's aviation capacity and connectivity.

Sydney Airport has three terminals: one for international, one for domestic, and one for regional flights

Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport, is the main airport in Sydney, Australia. Located just 8 kilometres south of the city centre, it serves as the gateway to Australia for international travellers. The airport is equipped with three terminals, each serving a different purpose: Terminal 1 caters to international flights, Terminal 2 to domestic flights, and Terminal 3 to regional flights. This efficient organisation ensures a smooth travel experience for passengers, providing them with the necessary amenities, including restaurants, shops, and lounges.

The domestic terminal, Terminal 2, is an integral part of the airport, handling a significant volume of domestic flights within Australia. Its proximity to the international terminal makes it convenient for passengers connecting from international to domestic flights or vice versa. This integration of terminals enhances the airport's functionality and ease of navigation for travellers.

Terminal 3, dedicated to regional flights, plays a crucial role in connecting Sydney with surrounding regions. By providing a dedicated space for these flights, the terminal facilitates travel between Sydney and nearby areas, fostering better connectivity and accessibility. This terminal is likely to be a hub for those travelling for business or leisure to regional areas.

The clear segregation of terminals at Sydney Airport ensures efficient operations and a seamless travel experience. The allocation of specific terminals for international, domestic, and regional flights streamlines the flow of passengers, making it easier for travellers to navigate their way through the airport. This design also helps to manage the high volume of air traffic that the airport experiences as the busiest airport in Australia.

In addition to Sydney Airport, the city also has a secondary airport, Bankstown Airport, located in the southwestern suburbs. This smaller airport primarily caters to general aviation, charter flights, and flight training. While it may not have the same capacity as Sydney Airport, Bankstown Airport still holds significance within Sydney's aviation landscape, providing a convenient option for travellers in the southwestern suburbs.

Sydney's new Western Sydney International Airport is set to open in 2026

Sydney currently has two airports: Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport) and Bankstown Airport. However, a third airport, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is currently under construction and is set to open in 2026.

Sydney's Airports

Sydney Airport, located just 8km from the city centre, is one of the world's oldest airports, operating since 1919. However, due to its proximity to the city and surrounding urban growth, expanding the airport has proven challenging and extremely costly. As a result, Sydney has been in need of a second airport to accommodate its growing aviation needs.

Western Sydney International Airport

Western Sydney International Airport, also known as Badgerys Creek Airport, is being built in the suburbs of Luddenham and Badgerys Creek, New South Wales. The site for the airport was officially designated by the Federal Government in April 2014, after decades of debate over the location of a second airport in Sydney. The airport is planned to operate 24 hours a day without any curfews, supplementing the operations of the capacity-constrained Kingsford Smith Airport.

Opening in 2026

The first stage of construction on the new airport began in September 2018, and it is expected to be completed and operational by January 2026. The airport will be a full-service airport, providing international, domestic, and freight services. It is expected to generate economic activity, introduce thousands of job opportunities, and serve as a gateway for Sydney, Australia, and the world.

Transport Links

The Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan includes several transport upgrades to improve accessibility to the new airport, including new motorways, train lines, and upgraded roads. This includes the M12 east-west motorway, upgrades to The Northern Road and Bringelly Road, and the development of the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport rail line, which is expected to be completed in late 2026, coinciding with the airport's opening.

Environmental Impact

A thorough environmental assessment was conducted in 2015-2016, and measures have been put in place to mitigate and manage the effects of the airport's construction and operation on surrounding communities. The Australian Government is also responsible for developing the flight paths for single-runway operations at Western Sydney International Airport by the end of 2026.

With its world-class infrastructure, job opportunities, and economic benefits, Western Sydney International Airport is set to become a thriving hub for aviation, business, and the local community when it opens its doors in 2026.

Sydney's busiest airport, Kingsford Smith, is just 8km from the city centre

Sydney, Australia's largest city, is served by several airports, both current and historic. Sydney's busiest airport, Kingsford Smith International Airport, is just 8km from the city centre. Also known as Sydney Airport, it is the main airport in Sydney and the busiest airport in Australia. It is a gateway to Australia for many international travellers. The airport has three terminals: Terminal 1 for international flights, Terminal 2 for domestic flights, and Terminal 3 for regional flights.

Kingsford Smith Airport is located in the suburb of Mascot, in the south of Sydney. Its proximity to the city centre makes it a convenient option for travellers, but it also means that it operates pretty close to capacity. The airport is surrounded by some of the most densely populated land in Australia, and noise from aircraft taking off and landing can affect millions of people. As a result, the airport has a curfew in place, which impacts its capacity.

Bankstown Airport is another airport in Sydney, located in the southwestern suburbs. It is primarily used for general aviation, charter flights, and flight training. While it is not as busy as Kingsford Smith, it is still an important part of Sydney's aviation infrastructure.

In addition to these, there are several other airports in the Greater Sydney area, including Western Sydney International Airport, which is currently under construction and set to open in 2026. This new airport will be located further away from the city centre, in an area that has been protected from medium and high-density development due to its long-standing designation as a likely airport site. The absence of a curfew at Western Sydney International Airport will allow for increased capacity and more affordable flights.

Sydney Domestic Airport to Sydney International Airport is a total trip of 12km

Sydney is served by two airports: Kingsford Smith International Airport and Bankstown Airport. Kingsford Smith International Airport, also known as Sydney Airport, is the main airport in Sydney and the busiest airport in Australia. It is located just 8 kilometres south of the city centre and is the gateway to Australia for many international travellers. The airport has three terminals: Terminal 1 for international flights, Terminal 2 for domestic flights, and Terminal 3 for regional flights.

Bankstown Airport is a smaller airport located in the southwestern suburbs of Sydney. It is primarily used for general aviation, freight, and charter flights, as well as flight training. While Bankstown Airport is not as busy as Kingsford Smith International Airport, it still plays an important role in Sydney's aviation network. It offers a convenient option for travellers flying to and from the southwestern suburbs of the city.

The distance between Sydney Domestic Airport and Sydney International Airport is 12 kilometres by land and 9 kilometres by air. To travel between the two airports, you can opt for a taxi or a van. The travel time can range from 1 to 1 hour, depending on the mode of transportation and traffic conditions. The cost of the trip varies accordingly, with a taxi being the more expensive option, ranging from USD 11.32 to USD 80.56, and a van being a more affordable choice, starting at USD 7.32.

In addition to these airports, Sydney also has a few other airfields and water airports, such as Camden Airport, Palm Beach Water Airport, and Rose Bay Water Airport. Furthermore, the Western Sydney International Airport is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2026, providing further aviation infrastructure to the region.

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