Western Sydney International Airport: Ramps up testing ahead of 2026 Opening

Sydney’s long-awaited $6 billion second airport is officially entering its final approach. With about a year until opening, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, or WSI, is deep into its operational readiness program. This phase is designed to test every system. Operation staff and procedures are flight-ready ahead of the airport’s debut in the second half of 2026.

The airport CEO, Matt Duffy, won’t give an opening date, placing that responsibility with its customer airlines. He says it is their schedules that will determine the actual opening date. It’s likely that airlines will be readying their fleet schedules at least a month before the Christmas summer holiday season commences in December. So that puts a starting date of somewhere in November, if you are a betting person.

Before passengers throng the airport, cargo flights are expected to start, mid-2026. Those flights will provide an opportunity to iron out any bumps before domestic and international tourists arrive.

Safety checks take to the skies

As part of the ramp-up, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has begun a series of flight-path safety checks. Using a twin-engine Cessna Conquest, inspectors are performing test flights. These verify that WSI’s approach procedures are safe, accurate, and fully compliant before any commercial aircraft touches down.

The checks are also confirming that all obstacles, such as towers, masts, buildings, and even tall trees—are correctly marked on navigational charts. This ensures safe landings for future arrivals. These are among the final steps before full certification is granted.

Switching on all of the systems

WSI Chief Operating Officer Matt Duffy confirms that this phase marks a major milestone in the airport’s long development.

“Decades of planning, years of construction and millions of work hours have got us to this exciting moment where we’re essentially switching on all of the various systems and services at WSI and putting these brand-new assets through their paces.”

He added that this next stage will be a thorough test of the dozens of technology systems and assets. The 24-hour airport will rely on these.

Staff training and simulated scenarios

Alongside technical trials, airport teams are undergoing extensive training to prepare for real-world conditions. This should allow them to build their skills and experience in a safe, controlled environment. It will equip them to respond effectively to various scenarios.

From baggage handling and passenger processing to lighting systems and terminal operations, all aspects of the airport are being put through their paces in preparation for launch.

Major emergency exercise next week

The next big test comes with a full-scale emergency simulation which will see the first 737 land on our runway. It will also see hundreds of emergency service personnel and federal agencies flex their operational muscles as part of a simulated incident.

This exercise will test coordination across multiple agencies, ensuring the airport can respond to potential emergencies once open to the public.

What it means for Sydney travellers

When it opens in 2026, WSI is expected to transform how Sydneysiders—and especially those in the city’s fast-growing west connect with the world. As Australia’s newest purpose-built 24-hour international airport, it will relieve pressure on the congested Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. It will open new opportunities for domestic, international, and cargo services.

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Interestingly, WSI will be the only capital city airport that has been built, and will be run by the Federal Government. All the others were sold off to various public companies decades ago. Now most have reverted to private ownership, mostly funded by superannuation funds.

There is no doubt that Sydney needs a second airport, but how it will shape the expansion of air traffic into Sydney is unclear. Despite the popular misconception that Western Sydney is full of disadvantaged communities, that is just not true. The area is very diverse, with pockets of extreme wealth.

If you think WSI will become the home of low-cost airlines, I just don’t think that will be true. It may happen initially, but in the longer term, I think it will reflect the diversity of its area. That will mean a mix of ultra-low, and low-cost, as well as full service airlines.

Although it is nowhere near where I live, I look forward to its opening. Especially when the rail and road infrastructure that will connect it to the rest of Sydney is fully developed.