What it’s like INSIDE Sydney's Newest Airport

See INSIDE the construction of Sydney's second airport. What's been built? What's the runway like? How big is the terminal? Exclusive access inside the mega construction project of Western Sydney International Airport.
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[@WesternSydneyInternational]

Always a pleasure to have you, Stef! We are, of course, always checking in with our operations colleagues to keep you at the top of the list when it comes to testing time :P

[@StefanDrury]

Just pinning this to the top so everyone can see..! Thanks for the really enjoyable tour.

[@RJK-cb9tu]

@FrogeBCThis project?

[@Noobplayz-yg7tq]

It is super exciting for you to be opening soon! I would love to fly in here from Auckland!!

[@Zergcerebrates]

The NSW government should have turned Western Sydney Airport into THE airport for Sydney and redevelop the land at Kingsford Smith Airport instead. Sydney needs more housing and that area is perfect for high density real estate development that is not far from the CBD.

[@richlebrocq]

Would be awesome if you guys show another video update mid next year

[@amcconnell6730]

The best airport stands (from a Pilot’s perspective) have terminal windows that are tilted a bit, so you can see the aircraft from the cockpit in the window reflection and see what’s going on in the turn. :)

[@amcconnell6730]

As a GA pilot, I’d think you’d mention Bankstown and the effect on that airport integrating with this one would have.

[@timp1390]

Massive impact!

[@FTWciaran]

To be one of the first people to ever land at an airport would be such an incredible achievement. I really hope it can happen for you. Love the updates to this airport!!

[@nagrom97]

Funnily enough someone has already made an emergency landing on the earthworks at the runway site back in 2020! But I don't think that counts 😂

[@StefanDrury]

Yes that’s true, but it. 100% doesn’t count (for my selfish purposes anyway)

[@leonkernan]

@@nagrom97reminds me of the guy that landed on Peninsula Link during construction!

[@Davo996]

A plane had landed years ago.

[@shelleysflyingdreams]

Thanks for the update. Great video.

[@peterwaugh9416]

I was there on Sunday but all I got to do was look over the fence from the Experience Centre. My plan is to be on the first plane in or out. I'm guessing the late-night arrivals into SYD will move to WSI so they don't have to sit idle until 6:00am the next morning. They will just do a quick turnaround and fly back out in the small hours of the morning.

[@JimOHalloran]

Yeah, I also imagine there's a bunch of planes that sit idle on the apron somewhere overseas that are timing their departures so they don't arrive at SYD (and waste fuel in a hold) before curfew ends. I'd expect those will move straight across to WSI and arrive and depart in the early hours.

[@dantegiacomin2388]

Great tour.

[@peterhatz1472]

Good stuff Stef!

[@ronaldsimmons9517]

WSI should have happened 30 years ago when it was first proposed. Australia has got to get over its NIMBY theatrics. I'd live next door...I love the smell of JetA1 in the morning. Smells like, Victory!

[@AlonsoRules]

WSI is one in a long list of new airports built over the last 20 or so years that are a long way away from the city - Istanbul, Siem Reap, Denver, Beijing Daxing, Mexico City Felipe Ángeles, Berlin Brandenburg

[@quarkcypher]

It's a shame Sydney didn't have a 24/7 airport years ago; better late than never I suppose. I am looking forward to catching the metro to the new airport when it opens.

[@LukeWarminger]

G'day Stefan, this video came into my recommendations, thought I'd click on it and check it out. I'm glad I did because I saw that you're a pilot and this is my kind of channel. Thank you for your hard work and great content. Keep up the great work.

[@JimOHalloran]

I really hope Sam can deliver the goods and get EYZ landing slot on that runway for "testing"! How cool would that be! I wonder if offering him a ride in the right seat if he makes it happen would tip the balance :)

[@WesternSydneyInternational]

We heard he is doing his best!

[@TRtraybloxeey]

western Sydney, the safest part of Sydney!

[@smuc.]

been wondering when this video was coming out, saw you walking around the lunch sheds of the airport like a month ago.

[@quietdominator666]

I’m just about to head there for work.. should be interesting..

[@CoastalCoves]

nice informative video

[@ternilapilli]

International Arrivals being managed on an upper level above Departures is an interesting choice - I'm guessing because this is the Internet someone will be able to name somewhere else that already does this but it seems fairly unusual at best. I wonder why they went that way.

[@KanyeKetchup]

New Zealand Everything back to front 😂

[@cheops1949]

Looks like an elongated SHEARING SHED !!!!!!!

[@markswayn2628]

No doubt the new airport is a much needed addition to Sydney's aviation requirements and there is also no doubt it's an improvement on the existing facilities at Mascot. However, I've got to say that I'm a bit underwhelmed by the design of the new terminal. As one of the major gateways to Australia, it's a bit bland and utilitarian, basically a glass box. Externally, it looks very similar to the terminal in Adelaide, efficient, but uninspiring. The internal wave-like timber ceiling is a straight copy of the terminal at Madrid Airport. Other countries (particularly in Asia and the Middle East) have designs that are both efficient and memorable. This is probably efficient, but apart from being new, that's about it.

[@downunderdave5417]

Nice vid I hate this project as i live in Syd WE Never had plane noise here and dont want it IT WILL SEND ME BATTY. D

[@aidenmicallef5023]

Looks like they have made great progress. I wonder if they will set up maintenance hangars as I haven't really seen any information on that

[@Hahaha82792]

Fun Fact, kingsford smith was first used in 1924 and there hasnt been too much issue or the last 100 years but this will show how much difference there could be with no curfew

[@paulorourke9198]

I would like to know how thick the concrete is at the touchdown points on the runway. Can you find that out for me please?

[@KanyeKetchup]

840mm

[@paulorourke9198]

I was told Tullamarine’s are 25 metres thick. That came from a former council engineer at Warrnambool, hence the question 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Max-dx6mu]

Living in Penrith area cannot wait for this to open but seriously have doubts about this being ready for 2026, I do not see the public transport metro being connected well enough by then.

[@imeldamogi]

yes, plz

[@felipeandres254]

You will surely plan a video landing at WSI!

[@seanmcerlean]

Very interesting Stef. Wuuld ypu hazard a guess that it may eventually replace rather than augment Kingsford Smith Also any plans for 2nd runway. Really hope you do get ypur shot at being the first to test the ILS 😂😊.

[@garydunken7934]

Don't allow the state government to now open the surrounding areas for new residential development now that the area will become more valued because of new airport. If you allow new houses to surround the airport, people would then get rules changed to have nighttime curfew imposed in 30 years!

[@OC_AviationSYD97]

Hope they have a good planespotting location like Sheps mound at SYD.

[@StefanDrury]

I love Shep’s, great spot. Where the visitor experience centre is now, on the Western side of the airport, would be a good spot. it’s slightly above the runway elevation too so would be a good option for a viewing area.

[@vincentgrinn2665]

6:16 wait did they finally decide to actually connect the airport metro to the rest of sydney?

[@tazzer9]

in a way. only connecting to st marys station

[@Max-dx6mu]

St Marys is turning into a big interchange@@tazzer9

[@KanyeKetchup]

​@tazzer9 hold on to ya wallets there's Gronk wildlife around

[@ON-YT]

I would say that should just sit the bigger airport down and make this one the main airport. the old site can be used for affordable housing because it is close to the centre of the city.

[@jonathonharris8753]

Well said - the most important city in the country and it doesnt accept airtraffic for like 1/3 of the time!

[@jaxt2578]

Will they also hook up a train line that costs you $20 AUD just to arrive at the next station? (Took a metro from Kingsford Smith Airport to Wolli Creek and it cost me that much one way there)

[@robgreene1776]

Perhaps you COULD be the first to take off and land there - IF - they would allow you to participate in their pre opening testing - ILS etc...

[@flyflagaus573]

Great to see stef can I follow you in UPX 😂👍

[@mattjc1021]

Sydney gets a train to their second airport while Melbourne doesn’t yet have a train to their only airport

[@jamesz1003]

will it come with connecting rail at extortionate pricing?

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

what suburb this in?

[@spankyhunter]

within 10 years or opening. i predict that houses will be built up around the new airport & as certain as the sun rises you can guarantee ppl will complain enough to get a curfew put in.

[@ballinwithkicks8436]

Ahahh - They can complain when there house values go up, like the people in marickville syd who have a 3 million dollar terrace, travel overseas but would ban the airport in a sec if they could

[@josephj6521]

I hope the parallel runway gets built soon and not in 2050. I think this airport may be very popular especially with SYD’s extremely high prices for anything and more airlines wanting to come but cannot currently.

[@MS-wz9jm]

You know it will be 2075. Its sad how long it takes us to build anything and what is a pretty basic small airport. Then you look at the Chinese and how long it took to build the Beijing airport, which is massive and truly modern in less time.

[@josephj6521]

@@MS-wz9jm I know. For the long time it’s taking to build WSI, you’d think they are building the 2nd parallel runway.

[@Davo996]

2050 would be realistic. It’s a stop and start process.

[@9231tomi]

I guess it's too late to compete with Changi Airport, as usual Australia is way behind Asia when it comes to architectural design. So, will there be any studies on how much pollutions generated by aircrafts and traffics? I believe my house is not on any flight paths but still unsure about the potential pollutions

[@victorsvoice7978]

What about the noise and pollution for the residents of Western Sydney?

[@aforeignertellingtruthinph2023]

tell us what we want to know---how much is the exorbitant parking fee going to be?

[@Amproaviationgamer123]

How long will it take? I wanna see when I go there 😂

[@dannydaniels2787]

Totally agree...I worked Operations at Kingsford Smith...compared to other international airports I've been to Sydney desperately needed a new airport. I hated Kingsford Smith. They've upgraded alot though the last few years because they knew Nancy Bird was coming but too late.. she will stand alone and quickly pass Kingsford Smith as Sydney's premier airport. I forsee airlines choosing Nancy Bird as the number 1 stop. Probably cheaper parking bay rent because she'll be 24/7, wider runway, simpler taxiing and apron access, more bays it looks like too...less other air traffic being out west too. Cargo airlines too will choose Nancy Bird as I understand a world class logistics and distribution hub will be on site, I could go on...

[@becsterbrisbane6275]

Fantastic video Stef! I wonder though, how they will end up divvying up the flights given it's going to be both domestic & international, assuming that Mascot will still be fully operational? Might be worth taking a look at Hongqiao vs Pudong Airports in Shanghai as is a very similar setup, with both on either side of the city!

[@AceBadgeYT]

Please do more flying in EYZ

[@jonnomunro3513]

Holy crap someone mentioned ILS........

[@mworld]

Keep the battery powered cars in their own car park. 🚗🔥

[@cameronb2765]

With West Sydney opening, all of the 146's will disappear, 😢

[@magical_catgirl]

When they get to the testing, I hope they take note of what happened at Berlin.

[@gavinflavel1632]

Ahhhhh ya lucky bugger!

[@SuperHumptydumty]

I think it won’t be operational until 2029 for commercial flights,,,

[@Htatoohlaing]

I'll be back in 2026 to comment whether you are indeed the first person to land at Western Sydney Int'l Airport. Good Luck Stefan👍

[@StefanDrury]

Haha, thank you, I look forward to reading that comment.

[@real1997]

Hypothetical: I land in Sydney. How long until I get to the city via public transport? This is the main question everyone wants answered. If it's close to 2 hours one way, forget it. I'll keep using Kingsford Smith.

[@StefanDrury]

Good and efficient transportation to/from the airport is an important part of this project. I did cover that a little in my other video on this airport but migh do a dedicated transport video, I think that would be useful to everyone to see the new airport rail terminal etc

[@bradcozens]

Same time it takes to get to western sydney from Kingsford Smith hey lol , time saved by being able to fly in at all hours instead of waiting out the curfew at Kingsford Smith makes a big difference.

[@real1997]

@@StefanDrury thanks mate. My concern is that if the new rail link only connects to the western Sydney line, it's going to take forever to get into the city. There needs to be a superfast way to get into the city otherwise there's no point in flying into Badgerys.

[@eriklevin8447]

I don’t see this as an issue at all. If City CBD is your destination just use Mascot. What percentage of international travellers are not just from western Sydney but also from western, southern and northern NSW? From regional areas it would seem this will be a much better choice for getting to the airport and back, thus also reducing congestion at Kingsford Smith.

[@real1997]

I’m from regional NSW. I’m guessing 95% of travellers to Sydney will go to the city. I get your point if you’re coming from Sydney’s west but travellers to Sydney will need the city for whatever reason eg business, medical, tourism etc. Hopefully the powers that be have worked out a speedy way of getting from Badgerys to the city.

[@timp1390]

More flights just means more profit not lower. Prices.

[@AceBadgeYT]

Hello stef

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

The fine detail is supposed to be classified information and not shared with the general public unless the government authorises it .

[@brubrulani]

Have to wear a hard hat and safety glasses on a runway😂😂😂

[@catlikslego9693]

It’s near my house

[@GrahamMiao]

"Flush all the toilets at the same time..." Never thought about that but I guess, yeah...

[@oufukubinta]

Are you tall or is she short or both？

[@colinpotter7764]

Why have an ILS which is expensive, why not just RNP approaches? YSSY main RWY is almost N/S but the new one is almost E/W, is that because of building constraints?

[@morerightrudder9742]

For the same reason that Richmond has an ILS. Badgery's is plagued by fog in the winter all the way up until 8-9am sometimes.

[@p2wbedwarskid]

The only mode of public transport is the metro line, stupid of the Australian gouverment why they cannot already extend existing ones to go here,not a single train line, do you know how far it is from Sydney CBD, what if people want to get to major places like chatswood gotta change at central, it is a very challenging airport, what are the public transport ways to get here, see how convenient Kingsford Smith is, you got a terminal for domestic and international, and that makes it easier to understand, instead of it all being xrammwd into 1 terminal multiple terminals means 1 can be used for a purpose this creating more flight volume, 1 terminal will not match the amount of international or domestic flights that, Sydney Kingsford Smith airport has.

[@sylvaniaboi]

An expensive white elephant !! Some have mentioned the metro to it (great - but that just connects to another train line north of - and that station / area isn't the best - then you have to join another 1hr suburban line into the CBD. Oh and forget about 24 hrs on THAT line !!). Taxpayers are footing a 'free freeway' .... to a TOLL ROAD (with Sydney having some of the most expensive tolls in the world).

[@theodorechurchill4020]

How many times have you said I'm a pilot we haven't guessed

[@StefanDrury]

As a pilot it’s my duty to remind everyone of that fact 😂

[@jhmcd2]

The problem with airports is that, initially they are all built in the middle of nowhere. Then communities spring up around them. Then they are forced to go to curfews.

[@timp1390]

Seems to already be community uproar but it has been slated for 30+ years. Let's see how political it gets I guess

[@chrisnewman7281]

Probably the only thing that Tony Abbott got right

[@alexsarikaya2671]

Question is, who wants to land in the classy lands of Western Sydney 😂. Imagine catching a train through the west

[@andrasgergely1051]

Latest but newest, dude!!😂😅

[@thedronedownunder3919]

But will the Albo govt and Qantas allow Qatar to fly there?

[@mightygood1]

Hopefully it isn't just dominated by Qantas.

[@robertstaas9314]

Why would you want to go to this airport when there is no direct public transport connections to the North or the South. What International traveller wants to go to St Mary’s?

[@Max-dx6mu]

I think they have built this on the idea that western sydney will be fully gentrified in a few decades.

[@mikeleonard8031]

Wow, the best airport in the world?10 million people per year?Changi( Singapore),Doha( Qatar),Istanbul ( Turkey)Dubai (UAE)comes to my mind and have been there many times to all of them and you call this the best in the world?Haven’t been to the big daddy of them all, the new Beijing airport that will average 200 million people per year.Needless to say the others I mentioned average 100 million travelers per year.

[@Nae395]

Hey Stefan. I entered the competition to do the tour of the airport and the management did not even advise the losers they were unsuccessful. Seems to me, if it's gov funded at all, we all should have the opportunity. Please pass this onto WSIA management. You've been twice, which is great. Typical general public they could care.

[@RexyH267]

Do not let developers buy land for housing anywhere within cooee of the flight paths or it will become a disaster.

[@martinwicky]

I live neat there how are there going to get all the jet fuel out that far

[@hi_lol1912]

Coming from Xi’an soon I’ll live in Sydney

[@MrSeebsy]

The Curfew at YSSY was always bollocks.... Try putting a curfew on a US airport surrounded by population like EWR not happening.

[@TechnoviousYT]

I liked the part where he showed the inside 😐

[@anthonypearson6759]

1:34 why do Australians always raise their voice at the end of every sentence? It makes it sounds like every sentence is a question😂 “we’re standing on the edge of the runway right now?”

[@rsoul7282]

The real question is, why would anyone want to go to Sydney?

[@DanFrederiksen]

Very big airports are too time inefficient. We need something faster.

[@KanyeKetchup]

Teleporting?

[@sailingkarma6772]

Way tooooo late to be the first. CASA registered commercial aircraft have been taking off and landing for years at this airport. Yep Drones!

[@6142king]

Compared to dxb this is nothing

[@Davo996]

This project has almost completely stalled. It will not be finished in the next 20 years.

[@thesolaraquarium]

I suppose they could do worse with the name of it (like the badger-thing) but the name is still pretty uninspiring. Maybe it will get another name over time.

[@aaronpittman4354]

great video however. Living just minutes from the proposed Western Sydney Airport, it's disheartening to see the community's overwhelming opposition. While job creation is important, the potential noise disruption and increased traffic congestion threaten our peaceful lifestyle. Decision-makers must balance economic growth with preserving the qualities that make Western Sydney a desirable place to live. Our concerns about the impact on daily life should not be overlooked in the pursuit of progress.

[@LostCloudx4]

Imagine like..... Avalon lol ... another flunk for sure

[@louisebb4183]

Why are they building this airport when they don’t want us to travel?? We need to reduce our emissions footprint so for the rich the old airport should be sufficient.

[@checkmilu]

it's so ugly, looks like a warehouse from the outside, considering Sydney has The Opera House. Why not hold a a real international competition for the design of our new airport for an extraordinary design? sad.

[@josephj6521]

I agree.

[@iamtuzii]

what a joke to build a whole new airport to help another keep its curfew. just remove the yssy curfew and you would never need this...

[@darkmann12]

🤣🤣who needs sleep amirite

[@chrisdaldy-rowe4978]

I wonder who & how many ppl they dehoused to make this monstrosity.

[@brad.fuller]

up talk? really grinds my gears? I wish people stopped doing it?

[@chuckselvage3157]

Flying in more immigrants

[@jamiebeverley9705]

It will be as usual in Australia sub standard compared to overseas, and as for public transport, there either isn't any, or it's late, or takes to long, is there a high speed rail into the city ? I left Australia long ago, it's good for some things, like the weather, but the infrastructure and the way its run and maintained is disgraceful, all due to idiots in Government, on both sides, neither have a clue, go have a look at Singapore, HK, Dubai that's how you do it, everything works and is well thought out, but not Australia, she'll be right, well that's why I said a long time ago, yeah she'll be right ok, you can have it all on your own, and that shitbox they are building will be no different, to far away from the city, that's the first problem, good luck !!!

[@KanyeKetchup]

Bit of a wanky statement there.

[@jamiebeverley9705]

@@KanyeKetchup Nothing wanky about it old mate, they do things half arsed in Australia, and the she'll be right mentality is rampant, hence the state that country is in, along with the idiots running the place, on both sides, maybe a trip overseas so you can compare might help I'd suggest, but anyway it's why I left a while back, but everyone to their own !!!

[@lechug43]

100% agree. The government here half arses everything. Like the decision to build the airport in the middle of highly populated suburbs.

[@DigitalNomadOnFIRE]

Wow that's like some A level up talk. Does she even know she's doing it. My god he's doing it as well....

[@dennycrane3192]

I THINK QANTAS,S A380 NAMED, NANCY BIRD WALTON SHOULD BE THE FIRST AIRCRAFT TO LAND THERE. SEEING AS IT IS NAMED AFTER HER.

[@bruceharper8149]

Great video Stef, very informative and slickly produced. ❤