Western Sydney International opens with Jetstar flight

Western Sydney International Airport began commercial passenger operations on Sunday, October 25, with Jetstar’s inaugural Gold Coast service departing as the airport’s first commercial flight. Flight JQ362 carried 188 passengers and sold out in 45 minutes, according to reports of the opening. The Airbus A320 took off at 11:22 a.m. after departing 22 minutes behind schedule. Hundreds of people watched as it left the airport, located about 50 kilometres from central Sydney. The return service, JQ363, later became the first passenger flight to arrive at Western Sydney International. The opening marks the start of commercial operations at Australia’s newest major airport, also known as Nancy-Bird Walton Airport. Construction began in 2018, after the federal government formally approved the Badgerys Creek site in 2014. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened the airport at a ceremony on Sunday morning. Jetstar expects to operate up to 24 return services a week from the airport, including flights to Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. The airline is also seeking to operate a Western Sydney-Bali route, but that proposal remains subject to consideration by the...