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Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has conducted flight path testing as part of continued preparations for its opening next year.
A twin-engine Cessna Conquest, VH-VEY, was used for test flights to ensure safe and accurate approach procedures, as well as to check that obstacles like trees, towers and buildings are correctly marked on charts for safe navigation.
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According to WSI chief operating officer Matt Duffy, the tests, which come ahead of the airport’s first jet landing next week, are another important step towards the commencement of operations in mid to late 2026.
“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 said.
“This next phase will see our WSI team trial the dozens of technology systems and assets on which our 24-hour airport will rely each day and importantly, test the resilience of those systems as well.
“The ongoing training of staff is also a key part of the program – it allows them to build their skills and experience in a safe, controlled environment so they’re equipped to respond effectively to various simulated scenarios.”
This month’s preparations have been hailed by Federal Transport Minister Catherine King as a “milestone day” for WSI.
“We’ve got a Cessna testing the flight paths. The Civil Aviation Safety Agency, CASA, is supervising those tests. We’ve got the baggage handling system being tested,” she said on the Today show.
“Next week you’ll see a 737 also testing the flight paths, and there’ll be an emergency operation, a test up there as well of all the fire services and other emergency procedures.
“So, a lot of testing is happening to get this airport operational; first freight middle of next year, first passengers at the end of next year. She’s nearly there.”
It comes as the NSW Rural Fire Service’s (RFS) 737 Large Air Tanker, N138CG “Marie Bashir”, is set to take part in a multi-agency, full-scale aerodrome emergency exercise on 28 and 29 October, including a simulated aircraft incident.
The airport’s operational staff, alongside 300 volunteers and emergency services partners from the RFS, NSW Police Force, and Fire and Rescue NSW, plus federal agencies, including the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Airservices Australia, will take part in the exercise.
WSI saw its first “official” aircraft landing late last year, with a light aircraft in October 2024 conducting test flights for the airfield’s ground lighting system.
