The first commercial flight from Western Sydney International took off this morning, with Jetstar’s flight JQ362 bound for the Gold Coast expected to depart at about 11am carrying paying passengers, the airline’s chief executive and several journalists.
"This is an historic day for aviation in Australia," Jetstar CEO Steph Tully said, championing the airline's role in bringing "more choice and low fares to Western Sydney".
Jetstar plans to operate as many as 24 return services a week from the new airport. The initial schedule includes up to 14 return services to Melbourne, daily flights to the Gold Coast and three services a week to Brisbane.
The carrier will use Airbus A320s, aircraft that seat up to 188 passengers, as part of what Jetstar described as a newer, more efficient fleet that is easier to operate on the routes.
The federal government and the City of Sydney have backed the new airport, which offers round-the-clock, curfew-free operations for both domestic and international services.
To encourage take-up, Jetstar launched fare sales for the new routes: one-way fares from Western Sydney to the Gold Coast from $54, to Melbourne from $61, and to Brisbane from $65.
Jetstar is introducing a revised baggage policy for the new services: each passenger receives a free under-seat personal item, while access to overhead bins will incur an extra fee. Passengers who buy bin access will board first.
International services from Western Sydney start next week when Air New Zealand launches flights to Auckland. Singapore Airlines will begin services to Singapore in November, and VietJet plans flights to Ho Chi Minh City early next year. Fiji Airways is set to operate three weekly services from March.
Longer term international connections are also being scheduled. Qatar Airways, in partnership with Virgin, is due to operate three weekly return services to Doha at the end of next year, VietJet has plans for Bangkok by November next year pending regulatory approval, and Qantas will run eight flights a week to Brisbane and Melbourne from next year.
Jetstar is pursuing rights to operate from Western Sydney to Bali, a route that has attracted rival interest. The International Air Services Commission has asked Qantas and Virgin to respond to questions about how each carrier’s proposals would affect competition, tourism and trade.
A trial Jetstar arrival at Western Sydney took place in September as the airport prepared to open to commercial services. Industry observers say the initial route map is modest, with Western Sydney International expected to serve mainly budget and leisure travellers while Sydney Kingsford Smith remains the primary hub for premium and business travel.
