Exclusive: Sydney curfew could leave business jets out in the cold

Under the changes, overnight freight movements, noise-compliant propeller-driven aircraft up to 34,000 kilograms, and specified noise-compliant jet aircraft up to 34,000 kg, including business jets, will no longer be able to operate from Kingsford Smith Airport during curfew hours.

Emergency aircraft movements will still be permitted, as well as those under dispensation in “exceptional circumstances”. Lester has questioned the changes to the curfew, given WSI is currently unavailable to general aviation, while Bankstown Airport is, he said, unsuitable.

“The alternative they’ve been pointed to isn’t actually available to them. The department’s own notice confirms Western Sydney International can’t accommodate general aviation at this time,” said Lester.

“In practical terms, there is now no viable after-hours option for corporate jets into Australia’s largest city.

“Bankstown isn’t a realistic substitute for commercial charter operations. The runway length leaves little margin for performance-limited jets, particularly in wet conditions, and it’s a busy training airport.”

According to Lester, the noise impacts of these jets arriving at Kingsford Smith overnight was minimal due to the way flight paths were organised.

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“It’s worth remembering how these flights actually operated. Curfew movements were restricted to flight paths over Botany Bay (departures only on 16L, arrivals on 34R were allowed), so departures headed straight out over the water rather than across the suburbs.

“Apart from residents around Kurnell, most of Sydney would never have heard them. These are quiet, noise-compliant aircraft operating in small numbers, and the existing arrangements kept their impact to a minimum.

“This affects more than corporate travel. Charter, repositioning and non-emergency aeromedical flights have all relied on these exemptions. We’d like to see either general aviation access at WSI brought forward, or the existing exemptions retained at Sydney until that access is in place.”

According to analysis of recent business jet movements into Kingsford Smith, Australian Aviation understands that the curfew will affect an average of less than two flights per week.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure and Transport confirmed that 1 November 2026 “has been determined as the gazettal date for [WSI] to be open for night aircraft movements” in line with the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995.

“Given that this provision has been legislated for over 30 years, there has been a long-standing expectation from the communities surrounding Sydney Airport that the minister make the gazettal promptly after WSI opens. This has now taken place,” the spokesperson told Australian Aviation.

“Domestic business jet flights operating on aircraft which do not exceed the 20,000 kg take-off weight limit will be able to land curfew-free at Bankstown Airport.

“Aircraft exceeding the 20,000 kg take-off limit will still be able to land at Kingsford Smith Airport between the hours of 6am and 11pm.”

It is as yet unknown when WSI might become available for general aviation, and a spokesperson for the airport said GA is not on the table at launch.

“As a capital city international airport, WSI’s focus is on providing domestic and international passenger services and boosting Sydney’s critical air cargo capacity, consistent with the airport’s stage one development. WSI launch operations therefore do not include general aviation facilities,” the spokesperson told Australian Aviation.

“The only exception to this would be non-routine landings (i.e. emergency incidents) for which Airservices Australia controllers may prioritise an urgent landing at WSI.”

WSI opened for passenger traffic on 25 October, having been available for cargo flights since July.