Western Sydney Airport Announces Terminal Design Competition Shortlist
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Australia’s newest airport project is progressing, with five teams selected to participate in the design competition for the airport terminal.
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, located 44km west of Sydney’s central business district and 41km west of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, is scheduled to open in 2026 with a single 3.7km runway and an initial passenger throughput capacity of 10 million, expanding to a second parallel runway and an 82-million annual passenger capacity in the 2060s.
Five design teams (Design Inc & Foster + Partners; Architectus, Gensler, SAA and Surbana Jurong; Cox and Zaha Hadid; Woods Bagot and RSHP; and Hassell and Pascall Watson) were selected from more than 40 submissions. Each team had to demonstrate they have designed at least three major airport or aviation projects on a comparable scale in the past 10 years and at least one party within the team has to have a permanent Australian office. Another requirement is that university students must be involved in the design process.
The winning design, which will be selected by the end of this year, will be scalable and will include a plaza, a public transport interchange and an integrated international and domestic passenger terminal. The airport is aiming for an effortless and intuitive experience for passengers, featuring the latest and smartest technologies and customer services.
“Smart design will be the cornerstone of our vision to create an airport that passengers love using.” – Graham Millett, Western Sydney Airport
“From the moment they arrive at the airport, through check-in, security and customs, to the boarding gate, we want every stage to be stress-free,” said Western Sydney Airport chief executive officer Graham Millett. “Smart design will be the cornerstone of our vision to create an airport that passengers love using and that offers airlines an efficient, reliable product,” he added.
The airport recently signed a memoranda of understanding with the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia Group, under which the country’s major airline groups will contribute to the design and planning of the new airport. In particular, the airlines will provide insights into the design of the passenger terminal; technology and innovation opportunities, including in baggage handling, security and customer service; airport access, including train stations, parking and rideshare facilities; air freight and cargo facilities; and sustainability.
“Western Sydney has the unique opportunity to build a new airport from the ground up to meet the evolving needs of future passengers,” said Paul Scurrah, Virgin Australia Group CEO and managing director.
Earthworks started on the 4,400-acre site last September, while engineering design firm Arup has been appointed to develop the airport masterplan and AVLogix is designing the baggage handling services.