First WSI flights on sale as Singapore confirms November start

“Singapore Airlines’ services to Australia’s newest gateway at Western Sydney will deliver more choice and strengthen connectivity to this popular destination for our customers,” said Dai Haoyu, senior vice president marketing planning, Singapore Airlines.

“Western Sydney’s late-night departure capacity will enable a seamless travel journey and connections through Singapore Changi Airport, to more than 130 global destinations served by the SIA Group.”

Singapore Airlines was the first international carrier to sign on at WSI, and airport chief executive Simon Hickey said the opening of ticket sales is “a terrific milestone moment” for Sydney’s new gateway.

“Not only will WSI increase aviation capacity in the Sydney basin, giving travelling more choice and flexibility on when, where and how they choose to fly – our 24-hour services will unlock new routes with Singapore Airlines for everyone across Greater Sydney to enjoy,” he said.

“Singapore Airlines will operate daily non-stop flights from 23 November that will depart WSI just before midnight, with passengers arriving at the award-winning Changi Hub around 5am – offering a new era of global connectivity for Sydneysiders.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with a global top-tier carrier in Singapore Airlines, with whom we share a deep commitment to offering our customers a safe, modern, seamless travel experience supported by the latest innovations and technologies via our state-of-the-art terminal.”

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The overnight nature of the flights highlights a key advantage of WSI as a 24/7 airport, as “red-eye” services cannot operate from Sydney’s existing Kingsford Smith Airport due to its 11pm to 6am curfew.

Speaking to ABC Radio, Transport Minister Catherine King said WSI will help relieve demand at Kingsford Smith, as well as provide an opportunity for nighttime services.

“That’s the opportunity that is provided to Western Sydney Airport to be able to get more flights in, and some of those overnight flights,” she said.

“A lot of people, I think, do like to be able to travel, get on a plane, get to sleep, you wake up and you’re actually at your destination the next morning. So often that helps with jet lag as well. So this is good news for Western Sydney.

“What you’ll see, I think, is a continued, strong Kingsford Smith Airport, flights continuing to go there, but obviously because it is an airport with a curfew, Western Sydney has some advantage in being able to offer about 24-7 availability for flights to come in as well.

“So, you’ll start to see an increase in flights coming out of Western Sydney International, but I would still expect Kingsford Smith will still be incredibly busy as well.”

WSI is set to begin freight operations in July, with passenger flights ready from October. Aside from Singapore Airlines, QantasLink, Jetstar, and Air New Zealand have already signed on to the airport.

According to the Transport Minister, negotiations are ongoing with other airlines to fly to WSI, with Middle Eastern carriers having been “looking very closely” at the airport prior to the Iran conflict.

“We’ve seen our bilateral aviation rights really increase under the Albanese Government. We’ve got increased flights from Cathay Pacific. We’ve got increased flights from Vietnam Airlines. We’ve had Turkish Airlines also come in, I think they’re about to come into Sydney shortly as well,” she said.

“British Airways is obviously increasing its flights as well. So, lots of opportunities. And Western Sydney International is a great airport and they’re doing a lot of work to get some more airlines there. But obviously we’ll see ticket sales from Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand shortly.”

Singapore Airlines currently operates four daily flights to Sydney Airport, and the new WSI service will make five flights per day by the airline into the Sydney metropolitan area. The Sydney–Singapore route is also served by Qantas, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines’ low-cost arm Scoot.