Australia has taken a major step toward expanding its air cargo capabilities with the opening of a large cargo campus at Western Sydney International (WSI), the country’s newest airport. The facility is expected to improve access to new markets, strengthen cross-border trade and help Australia Post meet growing demand for next-day e-commerce deliveries across New South Wales.
Qantas Freight officially launched operations at the airport on Monday by operating its first commercial all-cargo flight for Australia Post. The flight also marked the opening of the airline’s new cargo terminal at WSI and the start of a 10-year extension of its air cargo partnership with the national postal operator.
The inaugural 30-minute flight departed Western Sydney International and arrived in Brisbane on Monday evening, according to flight tracking data. Qantas Freight expects more than 160,000 parcels to move through its new 258,000-square-foot facility during its first 24 hours of operation, supported by 12 overnight arrivals.
Domestic cargo services will connect Western Sydney International with Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Perth, while international Australia Post cargo flights are scheduled to begin early next year.
A second major airport for Sydney
Western Sydney International becomes Sydney’s second major airport alongside Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, which will continue handling most passenger traffic. Unlike Kingsford Smith, however, WSI operates without a curfew, allowing aircraft to arrive and depart around the clock.
The airport has been designed to handle time-sensitive freight such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, high-value goods and e-commerce shipments while supporting long-term growth in Australia’s air cargo sector.
The first phase of the cargo precinct covers approximately 7.9 million square feet and has the capacity to accommodate up to eight large freighter aircraft and 16 standard-size freighters simultaneously. Initially, the airport will be able to process up to 298,000 tons of freight annually, with plans to add another 2 million tons of annual capacity during future expansion phases.
Australia’s Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Catherine King, said the new airport will increase air cargo capacity in New South Wales by approximately 33%.
The airport’s passenger terminal is scheduled to open on Oct. 25.
Logistics industry welcomes new trade gateway
The Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), which represents Australian logistics providers and cross-border cargo owners, welcomed the opening of the cargo campus, describing it as a significant boost for importers, exporters and the wider supply chain.
FTA Director Paul Zalai said the new facility will provide much-needed additional cargo capacity, greater operational flexibility and more options for transporting time-sensitive goods throughout Australia and international markets.
He also highlighted the airport’s strategic location near Western Sydney’s logistics and industrial hubs, supported by dedicated road connections that are expected to improve supply chain efficiency.
According to Zalai, the new cargo campus represents more than just another freight terminal—it establishes a major new trade gateway that should encourage investment, increase competition, enhance service offerings and strengthen the resilience of Australia’s international supply chains for decades to come.
The launch follows several weeks of cargo trials involving Qantas, Texel Air and multiple ground handling providers.
Qantas expands dedicated fleet for Australia Post
Under its renewed agreement with Australia Post, Qantas Freight will operate a dedicated fleet consisting of two Airbus A330 freighters and six converted Airbus A321 freighters. The airline will also allocate priority cargo capacity on passenger aircraft for Australia Post shipments.
Qantas is expected to receive three additional leased A321 freighters in the coming months. The aircraft are being converted from passenger to freighter configuration by Airbus subsidiary EFW.
The expanded fleet will support the transport of more than 83 million tons of parcels and freight each year, with volumes expected to continue growing alongside Australia’s expanding e-commerce market.
“It’s a historic day for aviation in Australia as our first freight services take off from Western Sydney International Airport,” said Cam Wallace, CEO of International and Freight at Qantas. “This new terminal will help us meet growing demand for next-day deliveries and move express cargo across Australia and the world.”
The partnership between Qantas and Australia Post dates back more than a century, when Qantas carried 106 letters for Australia Post on its very first commercial flight.
Airport services provider dnata is also expanding its presence at the new airport. The company has invested $22.3 million in storage infrastructure, cargo handling equipment, technology and a semi-automated material handling system for its new 54,000-square-foot cargo facility.
Separately, Australia Post announced Tuesday that construction has officially begun on its previously announced $324 million parcel super hub near Adelaide, further expanding the country’s parcel processing network as demand for online shopping continues to grow.
