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).

Qantas and Jetstar Launch One Million Seat Sale(Opens in a new browser tab)

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.

Qantas boosts International network: Restoring capacity,adding more aircraft, launching new routes(Opens in a new browser tab)

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

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.