Western Sydney Airport awards final major construction contract

The Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport in New South Wales is coming in strong in 2022 following the award of the final major contract that will deliver the gateway to the new airport in December 2021. 

The Aerowest joint venture – comprised of BMD Constructions and Seymour Whyte – has been awarded the landside works contract, which includes ground transport facilities such as car parks and electric vehicle charging stations. 

This contract is the last component of the project’s procurement stage, which is now completed ahead of schedule. 

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in the delivery of this once-in-a-generation project for Western Sydney with all major contracts now awarded, paving the way for even more activity to get underway on site. 

“The landside contract will deliver essential ground transport operational facilities to underpin smooth and efficient journeys to and from the airport, including car parks, electric vehicles charging stations and holding areas for point-to-point transport services. 

“The Morrison Government is getting on with delivering this once-in-a-generation project for Western Sydney, which is already more than one quarter complete set to unlock 28,000 direct and indirect jobs and billions in economic activity,” Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said. 

The future landside precinct at the airport is going to be integrated to the new M12 Motorway that will provide a link between the Western Sydney Airport and Sydney’s motorway network as well as to the two new metro stations on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line. 

“Whether you're arriving by car, bus or rail, this will be the welcome mat for our customers at what will be Australia’s best airport terminal. 

“We know that getting to and from airports is one if the biggest pain points for travellers – passengers and airlines will love using Western Sydney International because the experience we deliver will be fast, seamless and reliable from start to finish,” Western Sydney Airport CEO Simon Hickey said. 

The landside works contract will also include the construction of car parks, roads, bridges, utilities connections, operational buildings and landscaping. 

This contract alone is anticipated to support up to 700 direct jobs and even more indirect jobs through flow-on benefits along the supply chain. 

“The projects will provide critical connections, getting overseas visitors from the new airport to their destination, and Australians to the rest of the world, to unlock the full benefits of its up-and-coming international gateway. 

“The airport and surrounding road and rail links will be a catalyst for future jobs, economic growth and prosperity in the region, and form an integral element of the surrounding Aerotropolis and the broader Western Parkland city,” Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said. 

In addition to the landside works contract, Western Sydney Airport has also awarded a contract to DXC Technology for the design and delivery of the airport’s technology framework that allows over 60 technology systems to “talk to each other to deliver a fast, seamless journey for customers”. 

“Unlike other airports that need to retrofit aging infrastructure, Western Sydney Airport has a unique greenfield opportunity to build an airport from the ground up with consideration for technologies that are emerging or yet to be imagined. 

“This technology partner will work with us to consider what a digitally-enabled airport opening in 2026 will look like and how we can incorporate tomorrow’s technology to transform the customer experience and avoid the frustrations that can be encountered at other airports,” Mr Hickey said. 

Construction on the landside precinct is set to commence this year and the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is on track to open its doors to international, domestic as well as air cargo services in late 2026. 

Source: Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts; Western Sydney Airport; Aviation Pros; Airport Technology