Sydney's new global gateway welcomes first trans-tasman tickets on sale with Air New Zealand

**Editor’s Note: Terminal B-roll and the latest drone vision from WSI, as well as Air New Zealand B-roll and a still of Air New Zealand’s cabin crew at the WSI terminal, is available for download here. **

Sydney siders now have more options to traverse the Tasman – with Air New Zealand tickets connecting Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) and Auckland International Airport now officially on sale.

WSI CEO Simon Hickey welcomed the launch of Air New Zealand’s services, which will be the first international flights to operate from Sydney’s new 24-hour global gateway from 26 October this year

“We’re delighted to have Air New Zealand as a trusted partner, with the airline significantly advancing its flight schedule to take off from WSI in October – operating trans-Tasman services three times a week between WSI and Auckland,” he said.

“This route will give Sydney siders greater connectivity to New Zealand’s largest city and main holiday destination, so they can enjoy more choice and flexibility, alongside WSI’s innovative and seamless customer experience in our state-of-the-art terminal."

Air New Zealand’s services from WSI comprise:

• Three return services per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, beginning on 26 October 2026.
• Tickets went on sale from 6am (AEST) today (Thursday 2 April).
• Flights will depart Auckland at 6.05am (NZT), arriving at WSI at 7.50am (AEST).
• The return service will depart WSI at 9am (AEST), arriving back in Auckland at 2.15pm (NZT).
• Air New Zealand will fly its internationally configured narrowbody jet fleet of A321 (214 economy seats) or A320 (165 economy seats) aircraft into WSI.

Air New Zealand General Manager Short Haul and Domestic Lucy Hall said the introduction of the Western Sydney service strengthens the airline’s network across the Tasman and provides customers with another gateway into Sydney.

“Flying directly into Western Sydney opens up a catchment of more than 2.5 million people, including a significant New Zealand community, and supports stronger business, tourism and visiting friends and family links between our two countries,” she said.
“Together with our services to Sydney Kingsford Smith, this new route gives customers more choice and flexibility when travelling between New Zealand and Australia.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King welcomed Air New Zealand to Western Sydney’s new international airport.

“Western Sydney will be connected to our closest neighbours from October, these new flights will grow the connection between our two nations” she said.

The Minister also acknowledged the challenges facing the aviation sector today, but said Air New Zealand’s announcement showed the industry would bounce back, saying, “we can expect demand for Trans-Tasman travel to return and grow again into the future.”

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said getting the first trans-Tasman tickets on sale is another major milestone for Western Sydney International Airport and a clear signal that this new global gateway is opening up fresh opportunities for our visitor economy.

“This new Air New Zealand service will strengthen our already close ties with New Zealand, making it easier for visitors to experience everything Sydney and NSW have to offer, while also giving locals more choice when travelling,” he said.

“Through the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, we’re backing new routes that will drive visitation, support local jobs and help grow the NSW visitor economy towards our goal of $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035.”

Air New Zealand has had a contribution from the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund. The $16 million fund, jointly funded by the State Government and WSI, is forecast to deliver over 162,000 international visitors to NSW and generate an estimated $530 million of visitor expenditure.

Learn more about the new services and book with Air New Zealand here.