Overview
- A Coulson-operated Boeing 737 for the NSW Rural Fire Service, registered N138CG, departed Richmond and landed at about 08:38 local time after a short circuit, becoming the first passenger‑type jet to touch down at WSI.
- The arrival kicked off a two‑day, full‑scale emergency exercise with more than 300 personnel to assess preparedness, response and recovery for certification.
- NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, Airservices Australia, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force joined airport teams in simulations that included a staged aircraft‑incident drill with mock casualties.
- Trial operations continue toward a late‑2026 opening, with the airport set to start 24‑hour operations on a single A380‑capable runway designed to handle up to 10 million passengers annually.
- Qantas and Jetstar plan initial domestic services, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have signalled flights, and a metro rail connection is slated to open in 2027.