Final design of Western Sydney Airport’s passenger terminal revealed

Credit: Western Sydney International Airport (WSA)

Drawing on Australia’s natural beauty, the region’s rich Aboriginal heritage and strong sustainability principles, the final design of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport’s (SWZ) passenger terminal was unveiled on 4 June 2021. 

Western Sydney Airport’s CEO, Simon Hickey, said that every aspect of the design brings together best practice to create a terminal that will offer passengers and airlines an experience that is unrivalled among Australian airports. 

“This will be Australia’s best airport terminal, unlike anything seen before in this country,” Hickey said. “It sets a new benchmark for what Australians will expect when they fly.” 

Simple and intuitive wayfinding around a terminal that will be easy to navigate will come together with great customer service to ensure that passengers have a stress-free airport experience. 

Credit: Western Sydney International Airport

“Flying from Western Sydney International will be fast, easy and seamless,” Hickey continued. “For airlines, our terminal will be all about operational efficiency and reliability, providing an environment where passengers arrive at the aircraft feeling relaxed and ready to fly.”

Additionally, Hickey highlighted the importance of the consultation with Aboriginal communities throughout the design process: “A connection to Country will be reflected across both the departures and arrivals, ensuring that the terminal has an authentic sense of place in Dharug country.” 

Hickey also said that sustainability considerations are front and centre, with passive design principles drawing on natural light and airflows to provide superior energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. “A climate responsive façade with ample shading and high-performance glass will ensure that less energy is needed to keep the terminal at a comfortable temperature all year round,” he said. 

The terminal precinct’s forecourt will be a destination, with gardens featuring local native plants and areas that could be used for local produce markets, festivals and community events.

Credit: Western Sydney International Airport

The design is an evolution of the initial concepts that were released in 2019. While key design principles have been retained, the final design delivers the best customer outcomes in the context of a strong regional identity that is unmistakably at home in Western Sydney. 

Following a competitive procurement process, the contract to take the initial concepts through to a final design and to construct the terminal has been awarded to Australian-founded company Multiplex.  

Terminal construction alone is expected to create more than 1,400 direct jobs and thousands more indirect jobs through its flow-on benefits to suppliers and the local economy. This is in addition to the jobs created by the project’s earthworks, runway construction and other civil and building works across the massive 1780-hectare site. 

Terminal construction is due to begin at the end of 2021. Western Sydney International is on track to begin international and domestic passenger services and air cargo operations in late 2026.