Airlines

Qantas, Jetstar sign up as first airlines to fly out of Western Sydney airport

Qantas and Jetstar first airlines to sign up to Sydney’s new airport
Up to 15 aircraft and 700 jobs in the region
Airport on track to open in late 2026
Both airlines and airport working to use sustainable fuels to power flights

A historic deal between the Qantas Group and Western Sydney International Airport will allow both Qantas and Jetstar to operate domestic flights from the new airport once it opens in late 2026.

Within the first year, the Qantas Group intends to fly domestic routes to cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast using up to 15 narrowbody aircraft (10 Jetstar and 5 Qantas).

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It is anticipated that these aircraft will operate more than 25,000 flights through WSI each year, carrying close to four million passengers. In the run-up to the first flights, local recruitment will take undertaken for the estimated 700 operational roles that will be required.

“Western Sydney International Airport has some big strategic advantages with no curfew, technology that allows aircraft to be turned around quickly and a next-generation baggage system.

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With the criticality of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to the future of the aviation industry, the airport and airlines have agreed to work together to develop projects in Western Sydney that can supply SAF to WSI which can be used to power flights. SAF helps to lower emissions by up to 80 per cent on a lifecycle basis compared to fossil fuels and is key to decarbonizing the aviation industry.

The airport and the Qantas Group are continuing discussions on international and freight operations at WSI. While WSI will be an airport serving all of Sydney, it is set to strongly benefit communities across Western Sydney. To date the project has spent more than $400 million with businesses based in the region. Half of the workforce bringing the airport to life are Western Sydney locals and almost a third are learning on the job, through apprenticeships, traineeships and other vocational training.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.