Qatar Airways (QR) is the latest international airline to sign on at Sydney's new 24-hour global gateway, with the premium Middle Eastern carrier set to offer services between Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) and the airline's award-winning Doha hub.
Taking off from 15 December 2027, QR will operate three flights a week between WSI and Hamad International Airport in Doha, with plans to increase its frequency to daily services by the end of 2028.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey said he was thrilled to welcome the multi-award-winning airline, noting the partnership would significantly boost Western Sydney International Airport's global connectivity.
"With just four days to go until we welcome our first passengers, I'm excited to announce that Qatar Airways is bringing its 5-Star service to Western Sydney International, ensuring travellers will be able to connect world-wide via the airline's top-tier Doha hub," he said.
"What's more, with the addition of this premium carrier alongside WSI's existing airline partners, our customers will be able to enjoy access to more than 250 destinations around the globe within the first 14 months of the airport's launch, which is a strong start for Australia's first major greenfield international airport in more than five decades.
"Qatar Airways will operate flights three times a week – arriving at WSI at 11.45pm, with the return service taking off from WSI at 4.10pm, bound for Doha, the following day. While it will launch as a thrice-weekly service from December next year, the airline plans to increase that to daily in 2028.
"The timing of the service utilises one of WSI's key competitive advantages – it's 24-hour capacity – which will connect our global city in new and unprecedented ways, increasing choice, flexibility and opportunity, for business, airlines and their customers."
The Qatar Airways services from WSI will comprise:
· Three weekly return services between Hamad International Airport, Doha and WSI – every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
· The first service will operate on Wednesday, 15 December 2027
· Flights will arrive from Doha into WSI at 11.45pm, with the return service departing WSI at 4.10pm the following day, to arrive back at the Doha hub at 11pm
· The services will operate on Boeing 777 300ER aircraft featuring the award-winning Qsuite Business Class, offering up to 354 seats (including 312 economy seats and 42 business class seats)
· Tickets will go on sale to fly between WSI and Doha from 19 December 2026.
The new Qatar Airways route has had a contribution from the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund. The $16 million fund, jointly funded by the State Government and WSI, is forecast to deliver over 162,000 international visitors to NSW and generate an estimated $530 million of visitor expenditure.
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Paul Zalai - Director FTA / Secretariat APSA