Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport has secured its three-letter code, WSI, following the International Air Transport Association (IATA) designating the code early, reflecting confidence in the airport’s progress and importance to Australia’s aviation landscape.
Western Sydney International Airport Chair, Paul O’Sullivan, said in securing WSI, the new airport has joined the ranks of other airports with iconic codes such as LAX, JFK, LHR and HKG.
“Bag tags, booking websites and airline apps around the world will now feature WSI, as the airport continues to act as a driving force in the region’s renaissance, now with a code that puts Western Sydney on the global stage,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
The project has reached 40 per cent completion, with the bulk earthworks finished, and the airside, landside and terminal construction expected to reach its peak in late 2023.
The airport will be capable of catering for up to 10 million passengers a year when it opens in 2026. Its features will include a 3.7km long runway capable of receiving the world’s largest passenger aircraft, an integrated domestic and international terminal, and a dedicated cargo precinct.
Federal Minister of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the awarding of the IATA three-letter code is an exciting step forward in the development of WSI.
“The Federal Government is committed to delivering this game-changing infrastructure project for the people of Western Sydney and beyond, enhancing livability and boosting the economy,” Ms King said.
“It will unlock endless opportunities across the region, including greater freight capacity, a boost for tourism operators and a shorter commute for locals wanting to travel on a domestic or international flight.
“Alongside the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport Line, which we are jointly funding with the New South Wales Government, WSI is proving once again to be the catalyst for the socioeconomic transformation of this entire region.”
The code is usually provided to airports within 12 months of the start of operations.
“This will be an airport for all of Sydney, ultimately growing to become the city’s biggest, but we’re proud that it is home in Western Sydney,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“Western Sydney is truly Sydney’s cultural heartland and with WSI now confirmed as one of our most important global identifiers, our role connecting the world to Sydney via this exciting and diverse region is clear.
Mr O’Sullivan said that Western Sydney International Airport will not only mean more jobs in the west, but better, higher paying jobs that have traditionally only been found in Sydney’s east.
“This is an airport that communities across Western Sydney will be proud of, driving record investment in transport, job training and social infrastructure across the region, meaning that communities have access to the best,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“As we build the airport, we’ve already invested around $400 million with Western Sydney businesses which is just the beginning of WSI bringing higher quality jobs, closer to home both now and into the future.
“People’s children and their children will have access to great jobs in the west, if their interest is in engineering, cyber and other security, sustainability, aviation or many other jobs of the future the opportunity will be here in Western Sydney.”
Federal Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher, said, “The Federal Government is proud to be delivering a project that is already generating significant levels of investment from both public and private sectors.
“Three years out from completion, the Western Sydney Airport Project has already created over 3,800 direct jobs.
“With more than $400 million flowing through to contracted small and medium enterprises, as well as family and First National businesses, it’s clear this project is a real boon for the Western Sydney economy.”
Both Qantas Group and Virgin Australia were among the advocates that wrote to IATA requesting early designation of the WSI code for Western Sydney International Airport.
“We’ve had enormous levels of interest from airlines, not only from our Australian MOU airline partners, but from airlines around the world that are excited for what new aviation capacity, 24/7 operations and a modern, digitally enabled airport means, including for Sydney’s brand as Australia’s global city,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“Over the next couple of years, we’ll be excited to let our future passengers across Sydney know which airlines will take them to which destinations from WSI.”
Western Sydney International is on track to open to international, domestic and air cargo services in late 2026.
