Western Sydney International (WSI) has started cargo trial flights as the airport enters the final stage of preparations before opening for commercial operations.
The first trial flight saw a Qantas Airbus A321 freighter land at the airport, marking an important milestone ahead of its official launch later this month.
WSI Chief Executive Simon Hickey said the trial flights are designed to test the airport’s systems, infrastructure and day-to-day operations in a real-world environment.
He said more trial flights will take place over the next two weeks to make sure everything is ready before regular cargo services begin.
Hickey also highlighted the airport’s modern Cargo Precinct, saying it has been built with the latest technology to improve efficiency, support future growth and handle increasing freight demand.
Several major cargo companies are set to operate from the new facility, including Menzies Aviation, dnata and Texel Air.
Qantas Freight Executive Manager Igor Kwiatkowski said Western Sydney International is expected to become one of Australia’s leading air cargo hubs.
He said the airport’s 24-hour operations will give the airline greater flexibility, helping meet the growing demand for e-commerce shipments and next-day deliveries across Australia.
The new airport will also increase Sydney’s air cargo capacity, making it easier to move time-sensitive freight both within Australia and to international destinations.
The Cargo Precinct has the capacity to handle up to 220,000 tonnes of freight each year. It offers direct access via the upgraded Northern Road and is close to major freight and logistics hubs at Kemps Creek and the wider Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
WSI says the precinct has been designed with room to expand in the future, allowing it to handle growing cargo volumes as demand continues to rise.
