Traveller’s guide to Sydney’s new 24-hour international airport

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The opening to passengers of Sydney’s new international airport on the western fringe marks the culmination of 80 years of struggle to realise a second aviation hub.

For passengers long accustomed to trekking through the city’s long-established airport at Mascot, the first flights out of Western Sydney International Airport give them greater choice.

The new curfew-free airport ends the privately owned Kingsford Smith Airport’s monopoly in the Sydney basin.

The era of airport competition in Sydney – often dubbed the gateway to Australia – raises the likelihood of a better deal for passengers on everything from car parking fees to airfares. In the case of the latter, it will hinge on airlines passing on the prospect of lower airport fees and the extent to which they have to discount fares to put bums on seats.

Flight Centre founder and managing director Graham Turner expects airlines flying to both of Sydney’s airports to offer special fares when they have disparities in passenger loads on flights from either.

“Overall we think they will be cheaper. If they’re having trouble filling [seats on flights from one of the airports], almost certainly they’ll bring out specials,” he says of airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, which will be flying to both airports.

So far, Jetstar and Qantas have committed to domestic flights, while Fiji Airways and Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet join Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand in flying international routes to the new airport, named for Nancy-Bird Walton.

Turner expects Middle Eastern airlines will adopt a “wait-and-see” approach on the new airport, and Virgin Australia to watch Jetstar’s performance in the first six months before it considers whether to “stick their necks out”.

Retailers have spent recent weeks fitting out shops and other outlets on the terminal’s first floor, where passengers will arrive after passing through security.

From the opening this Sunday , 12 outlets will be operating, including duty-free shops, currency exchange and retailers for high-end sunglasses and tech accessories, as well as several convenience stores.

More shops and eateries will open over coming months: two Mountain Culture restaurants, cafes and specialty shopping including a toy retailer. Those hoping for the Golden Arches and its rivals will have to wait, although fast-food outlets are expected to open as passenger services increase before the end of the year.

For high-end travellers, an international passenger lounge will open on the terminal’s mezzanine level next month for the launch of Singapore Airlines flights on November 23. Named the Rayleigh Lounge, it will have about 80 seats with room to grow to about 130.

Two play areas for children in domestic, and one in international, can be found on the departure concourse. The terminal has other features travellers have long become accustomed to in airports ranging from free Wi-Fi and drinking water stations to prayer rooms, quiet spaces and outside areas for smoking.