Western Sydney International Airport ready for take-off - experts available for interview

With the first passenger flight set to take off from Western Sydney International Airport this weekend, Western Sydney University experts discuss what it means for local and international tourism, development and opportunity, and why connectivity to the airport is important.

Dr Garth Lean, Tourism and Travel, School of Social Sciences

Dr Garth Lean is a tourism and travel specialist with more than 20 years of experience in research, training, governance, administration, planning and marketing roles with universities, government, industry, and professional bodies. He leads the tourism, hospitality and events disciplines at Western Sydney University, along with several research initiatives.

“The new airport will give people living in Western Sydney more opportunities to travel from closer to home, with access to a state-of-the-art international airport. It's a significant development for a region that has long relied on travelling across Sydney to catch international flights.”

“It also opens new possibilities for visitors. Sydney is known for its harbour, beaches and CBD, but there's much more to the region. Western Sydney International Airport creates an opportunity to introduce visitors to Western Sydney's diverse food, culture and attractions.”

“The new airport can bring visitors into Western Sydney, but that doesn't mean they will stay. Growing the region's tourism economy depends on giving visitors reasons to explore, making it easy for them to get around, and encouraging them to spend time and money in local communities.”

Professor Joseph Cheer, Sustainable Tourism, School of Social Sciences

Joseph Cheer is a Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Associate Dean, International in the School of Social Sciences. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the leading journal Tourism Geographies and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on the Future of Sustainable Tourism. His extensive body of work comprises books, journal articles, chapters, and non-traditional publications for outlets like The Conversation, World Economic Forum, Global Research Institute and UNESCO. Joseph has a developing quantitative social sciences research agenda and is particularly keen on the development of human flourishing indicators for tourism destination communities specifically, and with wider societal applications.

“Airports are fundamentally vital pieces of infrastructure for destinations looking to expand the scope of their visitor economy. Other examples of second airports in Australian cities, such as Avalon Airport in Victoria, have not exactly achieved optimum potential. Lessons learned from this will stand the Western Sydney Aerotropolis in good stead.”

“Connecting the new airport to the Sydney CBD quickly and conveniently will be vital to connecting passengers to hotels, attractions, and other related places of interest.”

“Attracting airline tenants is an initial challenge, with much to be done to offer favourable terms for securing slots.”

“The Western Sydney Aerotropolis will be a game changer for Western Sydney, in the first instance placing it at the front line of the tourist gaze. Moreover, the new airport places rural and regional tourism destinations in a favourable position, placing them in proximity to passengers arriving and on route to other parts of NSW.”

Professor Awais Piracha, Urban Planning, School of Social Sciences

Awais Piracha is Professor of Urban Planning at Western Sydney University and a Registered Practising Planner. His work focuses on transport and infrastructure, accessibility, strategic planning and sustainable urban development. He served as the urban planning expert on the Australian Government’s Western Sydney Transport Infrastructure Panel and has undertaken research for Transport for NSW on transport disadvantage and unmet transport need in Western Sydney.

“The first passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport will be a major milestone for the region. The longer-term test, however, will be whether people across Western Sydney can readily reach the airport and the jobs and services developing around it.”

“The airport can reshape Western Sydney’s economy, but an airport alone does not create equitable development. Its benefits will depend on well-sequenced public transport, road connections and land-use planning that link established communities to new opportunities.”

“Transport access is an equity issue. If reaching the airport or surrounding employment areas is slow, costly or dependent on a car, many residents who should benefit most may be excluded.”

Professor Azadeh Dastyari, Director, Centre for Western Sydney

Professor Azadeh (Az) Dastyari is the Director of the Centre for Western Sydney and a Professor of Human Rights Law at Western Sydney University. She leads place-based research, engagement, and advocacy that seeks to unlock the unlimited potential of Western Sydney, with a strong focus on challenging systemic inequality and amplifying community voices. Professor Dastyari has held academic appointments at Harvard Law School, Georgetown University, and the European University Institute, and her expertise is regularly sought by parliaments and United Nations bodies.

“Our research shows the enormous economic potential of the Western Sydney International Airport, but these benefits are not guaranteed. We will need continued investment and careful planning to ensure that this potential translates into real opportunities and lasting prosperity for the people of Western Sydney.”

“The economic benefits of the airport should be shared. We have an opportunity to make sure that the economic growth generated by the Western Sydney International airport reaches the people and communities who need it most.”

“The airport will create demand for new skills across a range of industries. We need to build on this growth to address longstanding inequalities in access to well-paid jobs and public transport, and ensure more people across Western Sydney share in the benefits.”

Professor Neil Perry, Chief Economist, Centre for Western Sydney

Professor Neil Perry is Chief Economist of the Centre for Western Sydney and specialises in economic development.

“Our modelling shows that the Western Sydney International Airport will help shift the region towards higher income and more knowledge intensive industries. Financial and insurance services, public administration, health care, retail and accommodation are projected to grow because of the new airport.”

“Our economic forecasts depend on certain factors being realised, so we strongly recommend governments to track employment at the airport and business park, passenger numbers and international flights, and worker productivity in Liverpool. Tracking these measures will show if WSI is performing well for the region and help identify where to direct future investment.”

To arrange an interview, please email media@westernsydney.edu.au.

ENDS.

20 October 2026
Photo credit: Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa via Unsplash
Media Unit