Sydney’s long-awaited second airport, named Nancy-Bird Walton, opens on Sunday, ending a decades-long effort to expand aviation capacity in Australia’s largest city. Located in the western suburbs, about 45km from the city centre, the new hub operates 24 hours a day, unlike the curfew-bound Kingsford Smith airport. The existing airport was sold in 2021 for $17.5bn, a record price despite its expansion limits.
The new airport is within a 45-minute drive of two-thirds of Sydney’s suburbs and aims to serve growing demand for flights to Asia, India, and the Middle East. Airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways have committed to services, supported by subsidies. Analysts expect downward pressure on airfares, though experts like Andrew Charlton question whether the dual-airport model will attract new carriers in Australia’s competitive, oligopolistic market.
The airport also awaits a $7.7bn rail link, expected next year.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing