First plane lands at Western Sydney International Airport

A Boeing 737 RFS air tanker has become the first plane to land at the new Western Sydney International Airport, touching down on Tuesday morning.

According to a statement from federal transport minister Catherine King, the milestone comes as a two-day multiagency emergency exercise begins as part of the ongoing testing ahead of the airport’s 2026 opening. 

Thefull-scale aerodrome emergency response to a simulated aircraft incident was kicked off by the landing, and represents “the most significant testing of the new airport to date”, covering the upcoming airport’s “preparedness, response and recovery capabilities… [and] ensuring the airport meets the certification processes required ahead of opening.”

Over 300 volunteer and emergency services personnel from NSW will participate, alongside federal agencies including Airservices, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force.

According to Nine News, the 737 landed at Western Sydney Airport just before 8:40 am, after taking off from Richmond RAAF Base.

“A lot of hard work has led up to this moment, from the earlier days of construction to now rigorous testing to become operationally ready,” said King. 

“This project has taken decades of planning, created thousands of jobs and millions of hours of work.”

Picture: NSW Rural Fire Service/X

Further reading

Minns Government approves $139 million warehousing estate for Western Sydney Aerotropolis

Advanced Manufacturing Research for Sydney aerotropolis

NRF, AMRF announce referral arrangement for manufacturing companies