Australia’s First Major Airport in 50 Years

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18 June 2025

The construction phase of Australia’s first major airport in 50 years is complete.

Billed as “a seamless and stress-free airport experience unlike any other in Australia”, Western Sydney International Airport has ben designed to emphasise passenger experience, sustainability, future-readiness and connection to the local area.

 

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The newly completed terminal has been lauded for its passive design and eye-catching feature ceiling.  The largest of its kind in Australia, the terminal ceiling was built with ‘LocAi’ (ASI-certified low-carbon aluminium), saving more than 3,000 tonnes of embodied C02. 

The suspended sculptural ceiling reflects the Blue Mountains with around 188km of aluminium extrusion battens assembled in a wave shape to maximise natural light. In consultation with Dharug Custodians and First Nations consultant Murrawin, the design intends to embed “local narratives into the architecture.”

 

Picture: a photograph showing the feature ceiling and concrete columns. Image Credit: Brett Boardman

 

The project has been awarded a 5-Star Green Star Rating for its sustainable design principles, including:

 

• The creation of an on-site concrete batch plant to minimise truck movements and fuel usage
• The use of a 700-kilolitre rainwater tank to supply recycled water to mechanical equipment, landscape irrigation and amenities
• 8,848 solar panels across the terminal roof and covered walkways, saving about 4,052 metric tonnes of CO2 annually

 

Now that the major construction of the terminal is complete, the fit-out of the terminal's retail precinct and airline lounges will commence closer to the airport's scheduled opening date in late 2026.

We are on the precipice of launching a seamless and stress-free airport experience unlike any other in Australia,” said Simon Hickey, CEO, Western Sydney International Airport.

"WSI will give our global city a 24-hour international gateway that will continue to create significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney.

"WSI has been the catalyst for billions in investment in the region and has helped create thousands of local jobs during construction and will bring even more opportunities across our precinct and the surrounding Bradfield City and Aerotropolis once the airport opens.

"Since the first sod was turned, nearly half our workforce has hailed from Western Sydney, with around a third learning on the job, so the region should be immensely proud of this new terminal as so many workers, businesses, manufacturers and suppliers have literally helped bring it to life. This is their legacy."

Picture: a photograph showing the exterior of the new terminal at night. Image Credit: Multiplex

 

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 18 June 2025

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