First jet aircraft to land at Sydney’s new airport as testing ramps up

A jet aircraft will touch down at Sydney’s new international airport for the first time at the end of the month, marking a historic moment for the $6 billion project as testing steps up a gear just over a year out from opening to passengers.

The NSW Rural Fire Service will land its Boeing 737 air tanker – named the Marie Bashir – on Western Sydney Airport’s new runway on October 28 as part of a multi-agency emergency exercise. The firebombing 737 will be used to test a full-scale response to a simulated aircraft emergency.

Western Sydney Airport is due to open to passengers late next year.Credit: Wolter Peeters

The exercise involving more than 100 first responders and about 300 volunteers will extend into the following day, and will test the new airport’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities, while ensuring it meets the certification needed for it to open late next year.

It signals a ramping up of the curfew-free airport’s operational trial program over the coming months, which will include the testing of infrastructure and systems such as aeronautical lighting across the airfield and terminal.

Western Sydney Airport chief executive Simon Hickey said the exercise was a key part of ongoing testing and commissioning ahead of the opening.

“This will be the most significant emergency exercise WSI [Western Sydney International] has conducted to date and is critical in ensuring that we’re fully prepared to respond safely and efficiently in the unlikely event of an emergency,” he said.

The “Marie Bashir” - a Boeing 737 air tanker - will be the first jet aircraft to land at Western Sydney Airport when it touches down on October 28.Credit: Nick Moir

“It will also serve to familiarise our emergency service partners with the brand-new WSI precinct.”

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said testing was escalating following the completion of the new international airport’s runway and terminal.

“737s are the most common plane in Australian skies and will be a mainstay on the runways and taxiways of Western Sydney International when it opens in the second half of 2026,” she said.

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King recently said that freighter aircraft will start flying to the new airport at Badgerys Creek in the middle of next year, followed by passenger services by the end of 2026.

Qantas and budget offshoot Jetstar have committed to basing 15 domestic aircraft at the airport within a year of its opening, while Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand have signalled their intent to operate flights there.

A test pilot flying a small Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft was the first to officially land and take off from the new airport’s 3.7-kilometre runway in October last year. A light aircraft also made an emergency landing on the airport site when it was undergoing earthworks in December 2020.

The ramping up of testing comes several weeks after its rival, Sydney Airport, revealed plans for its largest terminal expansion since the city hosted the Olympics, 25 years ago. The expansion will involve linking the T2 and T3 terminals, resulting in 12 new gates for both domestic and international aircraft.

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