-- Jetstar has made Australian aviation history, operating the first-ever commercial passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) today.
Jetstar flight JQ362 departed Western Sydney for the Gold Coast at 11am (AEDT), carrying the first customers to fly out of Sydney's new 24-hour airport. The sold-out service was the first from a major new Australian airport in more than 50 years.
The celebrations continue all day with Jetstar flight JQ363 from the Gold Coast set to land at 3pm as the airport’s first-ever commercial passenger arrival, followed by the first departure to Melbourne, flight JQ375, at 6pm.
Demand has been so strong since flights went on sale in June that Jetstar has already grown the Western Sydney to Gold Coast route from four flights a week to daily.
The airline will fly up to 24 return services a week from Western Sydney, including up to 14 to Melbourne, daily services to the Gold Coast, and three to Brisbane. Flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft seating up to 188 customers, carrying around 460,000 seats to and from WSI each year.
The new services add to Jetstar and Qantas’ existing network at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, giving customers across Greater Western Sydney and the surrounding regions a choice of two Sydney airports depending on where they live, work, and want to travel.
Jetstar’s plans at Western Sydney International Airport could soon reach beyond Australia, with the airline recently bidding to operate flights to Bali. The new route would grow its extensive Bali network and give people in Western Sydney a direct flight to one of Australians’ favourite holiday destinations.
Opening day sale:
To celebrate the start of flights from Western Sydney, fares are on sale starting from:
Western Sydney – Gold Coast one way from $54^
Western Sydney – Melbourne one way from $61^
Western Sydney – Brisbane one way from $65^
Comments from Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully:
“This is an historic day for aviation in Australia, and we’re proud to bring more choice and low fares to Western Sydney. “For many customers, the uber or taxi across the city has been the most expensive part of their trip.
"From today, for three million people who live in and around Western Sydney, low fares start a lot closer to home.
"We've got a strong track record of opening up new markets, and Western Sydney, one of the fastest growing regions in the country, is going to be one of the great ones.
“We can't wait to help more people takeoff more for less."
Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey said:
“As Australia’s first major international greenfield airport in more than 50 years, in the cultural heartland of one of Australia’s most rapidly growing regions, WSI brings the world closer to Western Sydney and opportunity closer to home.
“We are delighted to launch our inaugural passenger flight with Jetstar today – an airline, which since its inception, has continued to boost access to air travel for Australians across the nation.
“Today we mark an incredible milestone for WSI, Western Sydney and New South Wales. Our city now has a 24-hour airport that will grow with Sydney for the coming century and expand choice and flexibility for travellers and airlines, and connect more people with more places and greater opportunities.”
The Qantas Group at Western Sydney International
The Qantas Group is building a strong presence at Western Sydney International Airport. Qantas Freight has been operating at WSI since July, with up to 72 flights per week, helping move parcels around the country. With more freighters arriving in recent weeks, WSI is going to be a critical part of freight operations this year’s peak from Black Friday and Cyber Monday right through to Christmas and the New Year sales.
From 28 March 2027, Qantas will add passenger services with QantasLink Embraer E190 aircraft to Melbourne and Brisbane, four times a week on each route with business and economy cabins.
^Sale ends 11.59pm AEDT Monday 26 October 2026, unless sold out. Prices based on payment in AUD at jetstar.com. A Payment Fee applies for Afterpay and Zip payments, see jetstar.com/fees. One-way, includes one Underseat carry-on bag and Priority Carry-on can be purchased (subject to availability). Excludes checked bags. Travel dates and conditions apply.
Release ID: 89207336
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