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Air New Zealand has made history as the first international passenger airline to touch down at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), helping open Australia’s newest airport and a major new gateway between New Zealand and one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
Flight NZ165 from Auckland touched down at 7.28am Monday October 26 and later departed Western Sydney just after 9.00am, marking the culmination of years of planning and the start of Air New Zealand’s new three-times-weekly service between Auckland and Western Sydney.
Air New Zealand chief operations officer Kate Boyer says the milestone is a proud moment for the airline, which has a long history of pushing boundaries and making aviation history.
“Air New Zealand has always had a pioneering spirit. From our early days connecting Australia and New Zealand to the innovations we’ve introduced in the skies over the decades, we’ve never been afraid to be first.
“It’s not every day you get to be part of opening a brand-new international airport, let alone be the first international passenger airline to land there. This is a pretty extraordinary moment for Air New Zealand and our customers.
“The connection between Australia and New Zealand is about so much more than flights. It’s families and friends who live on opposite sides of the Tasman, businesses that rely on strong connections between our countries, and people travelling to explore somewhere new.
“Western Sydney is home to more than 2.5 million people and it’s a further gateway for Australian visitors to discover everything our country has to offer; for Kiwi businesses, it creates another connection into an important and growing Australian market. And for Air New Zealand, it’s an opportunity to establish ourselves early in a region with significant potential for future growth,” says Kate.
“More than 75 different teams across Air New Zealand and many partners have played a part in getting ready for today. From pilots and airport teams to engineering, digital, security, baggage, customer experience and operations, almost every part of the airline has been involved.
“With a new airport, you’re starting with a blank sheet of paper. Every part of the operation and customer journey needs to be worked through and tested.
“We’ve carried out digital and on-site trials, tested our systems and equipment, trained our people and walked through the customer journey from end to end. Seeing customers step off the aircraft this morning made all that work worthwhile.”
Western Sydney International Airport
WSI chief executive officer Simon Hickey extended a warm kia ora to Air New Zealand’s inaugural international passengers, welcoming them from across the Tasman in a history making journey that kicked off Western Sydney’s connectivity with the world.
“Today is a fitting celebration of our two nation’s deep cultural and historical bonds, with the first international flight from our vibrant and diverse Western Sydney region to New Zealand’s largest city and commercial hub for tourism and trade,” he says
“Through our 24-hour operations, Western Sydney International Airport gives airlines greater flexibility to connect into global hubs and travellers more choice in how they reach the world, offering a new unprecedented era of connectivity for people across Greater Sydney.
“We’re bringing more aviation capacity and competition to the doorstep of one of Australia’s fastest-growing markets, giving international airlines room to grow and travellers from Western Sydney and beyond a modern, world-class, digitally enabled airport experience.”
New South Wales Government
NSW minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper says “The arrival of the first Air New Zealand flight into Western Sydney is a significant milestone for the region, opening the door to more visitors, new business opportunities and local jobs.
“Direct international connections will help showcase Western Sydney to the world, supporting the region’s growth and strengthening NSW’s position as Australia’s leading visitor economy.
“The Minns Labor Government partnered with Air New Zealand and Western Sydney International Airport to secure the route through the $16 million Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, established in 2025 to attract new international flights and deliver economic benefits for Western Sydney.”
From the flight deck
Air New Zealand captain Andrew McGuigan, who commanded the inaugural Auckland to WSI service, says the flight was a rare career moment.
“As a pilot, it’s not often you get to say you were part of opening a major new international airport – and even rarer that you get to command the first international passenger flight to land there.
“There was a real sense of excitement onboard as we made our approach into Western Sydney. It was a special moment for our crew and customers, but also for the many people on both sides of the Tasman who have spent months getting us ready for today.”
Air New Zealand will operate three return services a week between Auckland and Western Sydney on Monday, Wednesday and Friday until the end of March 2027. From April 2027, the three return services will run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
