Airservices Australia has today released the detailed flightpath design for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI).
On 4 June 2025, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Hon Catherine King MP authorised the preliminary flightpaths for WSI contained in the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The Minister’s endorsement included several noise mitigation measures detailed here.
In response to these measures, Airservices will:
- prioritise use of Runway 23 during the day to minimise overflight of residential areas and noise sensitive areas to the north-east of the airport
- prioritise use of Reciprocal Runway Operations (RRO) mode at night, to minimise noise to communities near the airport as well as the most heavily populated areas of Western Sydney and Blue Mountains.
Airservices is also seeking community feedback on Noise Abatement Procedures (NAPs), which aim to reduce the impact of noise on communities.
Our detailed design process for the flightpaths will include simulation testing and ongoing safety assessments, as well as community engagement, to ensure awareness of flightpath location, forecast use and potential noise impacts. As part of this, we will also be engaging the community on noise monitoring locations.
Airservices will host 25 drop-in community engagement sessions, two webinars and nine pop-up events at various locations across Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains listed here from 30th July until 14th September 2025. Bookings are recommended.
Community feedback is open until 21 September in writing, or by email, with all details available via our online platform Engage Airservices.
“We want to engage with as many people as possible to ensure awareness of the flightpaths and what to expect when WSI opens in 2026,” said Airservices’ Head of Community Engagement Donna Marshall.
“By attending our sessions, residents can learn more about the flightpaths, noise abatement procedures, and expected aircraft operations, including understanding potential noise levels,” Ms Marshall said.
“Residents can also provide input to future noise monitoring plans for WSI.”
For further information on the WSI flightpaths, noise abatement procedures and noise monitoring program, visit our online platform Engage Airservices.
About Airservices
Airservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry.
