Residents across the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains will soon get their first real taste of aircraft activity from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, with a series of freight test flights scheduled to begin today ahead of the airport's freight operations commencing on 26 July 2026.
The flights form part of operational readiness testing of the airport's new cargo precinct and will see a range of aircraft arriving and departing using the airport's newly implemented flight paths.
Subject to weather and operational requirements, Airservices Australia and Western Sydney International Airport have advised the following test schedule:
- Monday, 13 July – Airbus A330 arriving about 12.15pm and departing about 8.45pm
- Friday, 17 July – Airbus A321 arriving about 9.25am and departing about 8.05pm
- Saturday, 18 July – BAE 146 arriving about 11.30am and departing about 3.30pm
- Sunday, 19 July – BAE 146 arriving about 11.30am and departing about 3.30pm.
The testing comes just weeks before the airport begins freight operations, with passenger services expected to follow later.
Mixed emotions
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman acknowledged the test flights would be viewed differently across the community.
In an email to residents, Ms Templeman said some people had long called for test flights to better understand what aircraft noise would be like in their neighbourhoods, while others saw the flights as signalling the beginning of ongoing concerns about aircraft noise, particularly given the airport's 24-hour operation.
Ms Templeman said she remained concerned about the potential impacts of aircraft noise and would continue advocating on behalf of residents.
She encouraged anyone affected by aircraft noise to formally report their concerns through Airservices Australia's Noise Complaints and Information Service (NCIS) so they become part of the official record.
How to lodge a noise complaint
Residents who experience intrusive aircraft noise are encouraged to report it through Airservices Australia's Noise Complaints and Information Service.
The online complaint form is available at:
Airservices Australia – Make an aircraft noise complaint
Complaints can also be made by telephoning 1800 802 584 between 10am and 4pm (Sydney time), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Airservices Australia says community feedback helps identify areas of concern, respond to enquiries and monitor aircraft noise associated with civilian aviation operations.
For more information about Western Sydney International Airport and its operations, residents can contact the airport via info@wsiairport.com.au.
