Sydney’s newest airport was a cargo cult that became true

July 27, 2026 — 5:33pm

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Sydney’s second airport sometimes seemed like a cargo cult trapped in a never-ending political soap opera, but that ended late on Monday night when a Qantas freighter made the first commercial cargo flight from the new $6 billion Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.

The start of cargo flights comes three months before the curfew-free airport opens to passengers. Jetstar will become the first airline to fly out on October 25, followed by Air New Zealand a day later. Singapore Airlines lands on November 23, while Qantas’s domestic flights are scheduled to begin on March 28. Menzies Aviation, Dubai-owned dnata, charter company Texel Air and Saudia Cargo will also use the new facility.

In 1962, Kingsford........

© The Sydney Morning Herald