QATAR AIRWAYS SET TO FLY FROM WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Taking off from 15 December 2027, QR will operate three flights a week between WSI and Hamad International Airport in Doha, with plans to increase its frequency to daily services by the end of 2028. 

WSI CEO Simon Hickey said he was thrilled to welcome the multi-award-winning airline, noting the partnership would significantly boost Western Sydney International Airport's global connectivity. 

"With just four days to go until we welcome our first passengers, I'm excited to announce that Qatar Airways is bringing its 5-Star service to Western Sydney International, ensuring travellers will be able to connect world-wide via the airline's top-tier Doha hub," he said. 

 "What's more, with the addition of this premium carrier alongside WSI's existing airline partners, our customers will be able to enjoy access to more than 250 destinations around the globe within the first 14 months of the airport's launch, which is a strong start for Australia's first major greenfield international airport in more than five decades. 

 "Qatar Airways will operate flights three times a week – arriving at WSI at 11.45pm, with the return service taking off from WSI at 4.10pm, bound for Doha, the following day. While it will launch as a thrice-weekly service from December next year, the airline plans to increase that to daily in 2028.

"The timing of the service utilises one of WSI's key competitive advantages – it's 24-hour capacity – which will connect our global city in new and unprecedented ways, increasing choice, flexibility and opportunity, for business, airlines and their customers." 

 The Qatar Airways services from WSI will comprise:

·        Three weekly return services between Hamad International Airport, Doha and WSI – every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

·        The first service will operate on Wednesday, 15 December 2027 

·        Flights will arrive from Doha into WSI at 11.45pm, with the return service departing WSI at 4.10pm the following day, to arrive back at the Doha hub at 11pm 

·        The services will operate on Boeing 777 300ER aircraft featuring the award-winning Qsuite Business Class, offering up to 354 seats (including 312 economy seats and 42 business class seats)

·        Tickets will go on sale to fly between WSI and Doha from 19 December 2026.

The new Qatar Airways route 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. 

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said: “The Albanese Government is thrilled to be able to announce Qatar Airways as the latest airline to sign-on to flights to WSI. 

 “Through connection to Doha, one of the busiest airports in the world by international passengers, travellers from Western Sydney can board a second leg to any corner of the globe.

 “This is a truly exciting announcement, and it means that via Doha, or Singapore, Western Sydney International is truly the runway to the world.”

 Hamad Al Khater, Group Chief Executive Qatar Airways Group, said: “Our launch at Western Sydney International is the next chapter in our long-standing partnership with Australia, one of our most important markets. 

 "The new route will link Western Sydney directly with Doha and, through Hamad International Airport, with more than 170 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and beyond, strengthening existing ties and creating new opportunities for trade, tourism and investment between Australia, Qatar and the wider world. 

 "With the airport operating around the clock, we will bring more international visitors to New South Wales, offer Australian travellers the premium Qatar Airways experience from a second Sydney gateway, and give exporters across the state a direct cargo route to customers in the Gulf and beyond.”

NSW Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper said: “The best way to grow our visitor economy is to get more people into Australia. Securing this new Qatar Airways route is a major win for NSW tourism, local businesses and jobs.

 "Direct flights make it easier for visitors to discover everything NSW has to offer, while creating new opportunities for businesses across Sydney and our state. 

“The Minns Labor Government is backing Western Sydney International to become a major gateway to the world, helping attract more visitors, strengthen our global connections and grow NSW’s visitor economy.”

 WSI is Australia’s first major international greenfield airport development in more than 50 years, providing a world-class experience for travellers while supporting economic growth and enhanced connectivity for Greater Sydney. Learn more here.