Kiwis heading to Sydney now have a second airport option, after Air New Zealand flew the first international passengers into the city’s new Western Sydney International Airport on Monday.
Flight NZ165 from Auckland landed on Monday morning, just a day after the airport opened to domestic flights. The aircraft returned to Auckland as NZ166.
The new airport sits in Badgerys Creek, about 50km west of Sydney’s city centre, and operates 24 hours a day.
Air New Zealand chief operations officer Kate Boyer said the route would strengthen trans-Tasman ties.
“Australia and New Zealand share a special connection, and this new service is about bringing people and places even closer together.”
Boyer said the service would open up tourism, trade and business opportunities on both sides of the Tasman.
Western Sydney International chief executive Simon Hickey greeted the arrival with a nod to New Zealand.
“Kia ora to our friends across the Tasman and a very warm welcome to Sydney’s new global gateway.”
Hickey said the airport’s round-the-clock operations would give airlines more flexibility to connect with global hubs.
Passengers landing at the airport can complete their arrival declarations digitally before touching down, making it the first Australian airport to scrap the traditional paper passenger card from day one.
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