Qantas Freight and Western Sydney International Airport unveil strategic 24-hour cargo alliance

qantas-freight-A332P2F-freighter-aircraft
Edited by Travel Weekly


The Qantas Group has bolstered its strategic alliance with Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), as Qantas Freight becomes the first freight airline to operate out of the airport’s 24-hour Cargo Precinct.

Sydney’s air cargo capacity is set to rise by 33 per cent upon the precinct’s opening which features easy access to upgraded infrastructure like Northern Road and key freight hubs at Kemps Creek and the Aerotropolis. 

Qantas Freight, Australia’s leading air freight carrier, will operate in a 24,000 square metre facility, including 14,000 square metres of warehousing. The new hub will streamline the handling of international imports and domestic express deliveries, bolstered by advanced terminal designs and state-of-the-art materials handling equipment.

The site will also be capable of handling Qantas’ expanding fleet of Airbus A321 and A330 freighters, with operations scheduled to commence in late 2026. The broader precinct will accommodate up to 75,000 square metres of total warehousing and can service eight wide-body aircraft simultaneously.

Qantas International and Freight CEO Cam Wallace said the new facility will meet the rising demand for e-commerce and enhance existing Sydney freight operations. He also said the airport’s strategic benefits for overnight flights ensure swift delivery of parcels and critical goods nationwide.

“Western Sydney International Airport has some big strategic advantages for freight operations particularly with overnight flights which will help ensure parcels and other critical freight can be delivered around Australia as quickly as possible.

“We are in the process of renewing and growing our fleet of air freighters, with the newer aircraft that will fly out of Western Sydney quieter and more sustainable than older models.”

WSI CEO Simon Hickey echoed the advantages of the 24-hour operations, stating that the partnership would create opportunities for exporters and drive regional growth. The Cargo Precinct is expected to support 2,000 jobs during construction and 19,000 direct and indirect jobs annually once fully operational.

“These operational efficiencies, coupled with the deep strategic advantages of our 24-hour operations and key east coast location will provide unparalleled opportunities for farmers, manufacturers and other exporters to grow their businesses through premium cargo operators like Qantas Freight,” Hickey said.

“Western Sydney International Airport continues to create high-value job opportunities for locals, with the Cargo Precinct expected to support up to 2,000 jobs during construction and more than 19,000 direct and indirect jobs across the precinct and connected supply chains, upon opening, each year.”

The collaboration between Qantas Freight and WSI underscores the importance of Western Sydney as a growing logistics hub, poised to deliver both local economic benefits and enhanced national freight capacity.

Latest News

  • Conferences
  • Tourism

Robert Irwin’s plea to travel industry: Spend tourism dollars on supporting the planet

Spend your tourism dollar wisely to protect the planet when travelling, TV personality, conservationist and wildlife advocate Robert Irwin told a fascinated audience in the final session of the 24th Global Summit World Travel & Tourism Council in Perth (Boorloo) today (Thursday). “When you’re travelling, think about where your money’s being spent,” he told host […]

  • Conferences
  • First Nations
  • Tourism

Indigenous tourism drives economic growth: The World Travel & Tourism Council finds

Indigenous tourism is projected to contribute US$67 billion ($AU100b) to the global economy by 2034, a landmark World Travel & Tourism Council has found. This economic boom is fuelled by increasing demand for authentic cultural experiences, in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, among others. The report showcases the sector’s role in […]

  • Conferences
  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

Perth’s Matagarup Zip+Climb becomes world’s first member of WTTC’s ‘Together in Travel’ for SMEs

Perth’s Matagarup Zip+Climb co-founder Ryan Mossny has been named the world’s first member of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s new ‘Together in Travel’ program for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Announced at the 2024 Global Summit in Perth (Boorloo), today the ‘Together in Travel’ program is a unique initiative aimed at providing support and […]