Flights
Western Sydney International Airport: what it means for trips to Sri Lanka and India
, 4 min read
Sydney’s second airport, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, opens to passengers on 25 October 2026. For families in Western and South West Sydney who fly to Sri Lanka and India, it adds a new option alongside Sydney Airport in Mascot.
Where it is and when it opens
The airport sits at Badgerys Creek in Western Sydney. Freight flights started in July 2026, and passenger flights begin on 25 October 2026.
Unlike Sydney Airport, Western Sydney International operates without a night-time curfew, so over time it can offer late-night and early-morning departures.
Which flights are starting
The first routes announced for the opening period are a mix of domestic and international services:
- Jetstar to Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast from 25 October 2026
- Air New Zealand to Auckland from 26 October 2026
- Singapore Airlines daily to Singapore from 23 November 2026
Why the Singapore flight matters for South Asia trips
Singapore is one of the most common connecting points for flights to Colombo, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli and Kochi. A daily Singapore service from Western Sydney means some families can start a trip to Sri Lanka or India closer to home, then connect onward in Singapore.
Whether that works out better than flying from Sydney Airport depends on the fare, the connection time in Singapore and how you get to each airport. We compare both when we quote. See our flights to Colombo and flights to Chennai pages for more on those routes.
Getting to the airport
At opening, the airport is reached by road, including the M12 motorway, and by buses from Western Sydney hubs. There’s also a free shuttle between St Marys and the airport. The Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport line is scheduled to open in 2027.
For many suburbs in the Penrith, Blacktown and South West areas, this can mean a shorter trip to the terminal than driving to Mascot.
Should you fly from WSI or Sydney Airport?
For now, Sydney Airport still has far more international routes, so most long-haul trips will continue to start there. Western Sydney International is worth checking if your trip connects through Singapore or Auckland, or if you’re flying domestically to Melbourne, Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
Tell us your suburb when you request flight options, and we’ll compare departures from both airports.
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