YSWS Western Sydney International Airport

YSWS Western Sydney International Airport, officially known as Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport (ICAO: YSWS, IATA: WSI), is Australia’s first major greenfield airport development in decades. Located in the Badgerys Creek and Luddenham region, around 44 kilometers west of Sydney’s central business district, the airport was designed to meet the long-term aviation needs of the Greater Sydney region and the country as a whole. As a curfew-free facility with a masterplanned layout, it represents a new era of connectivity, infrastructure, and opportunity for both passengers and freight.

From its inception, the project was envisioned to relieve pressure on the existing Kingsford Smith Airport, which operates under significant curfew restrictions and is surrounded by dense urban development. Western Sydney Airport offers unrestricted 24-hour operations and has been integrated into one of the most ambitious transport and development plans in the region’s history. At the core of the airport’s first phase is a 3.7-kilometer runway (05/23) paired with a state-of-the-art terminal capable of handling both domestic and international flights. The initial terminal capacity is designed for around five million passengers annually, with future expansion expected to accommodate more than eighty million by the 2060s.

The airport sits at the heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis - a large-scale economic and infrastructure precinct that combines logistics, science, education, agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, health, and research industries into a single integrated development zone. This zone is expected to generate tens of thousands of jobs and attract billions in private and public investment over the coming decades. The airport acts as a catalyst for long-term growth, positioning Greater Western Sydney as a global hub for innovation and industry.

Western Sydney Airport is designed with future expansion in mind. Foundations for a second runway and additional terminal facilities were planned from the beginning. Its design includes wide, open concourses, flexible gate infrastructure, and intuitive wayfinding to allow seamless movement between domestic and international operations. The terminal architecture is inspired by natural forms and local heritage, blending sandstone, native landscaping, and regional cultural motifs into a space that feels both modern and deeply connected to its environment.

One of the defining features of the airport is its integration with surrounding transportation systems. A dedicated motorway - the M12 - connects the terminal directly to Sydney’s road network, while a newly built 23-kilometer metro rail line links the airport to key suburban centers and the wider city. This ensures convenient access for passengers, staff, and cargo, and supports the airport’s role as a fully connected multimodal transport hub.

Sustainability and innovation are also core elements of the project. The airport terminal features extensive solar energy arrays, rainwater harvesting systems, and passive climate control mechanisms. It is also the site of Australia’s first digital air traffic control facility, using high-resolution remote camera systems instead of a traditional control tower. The airport’s apron layout, lighting systems, and taxiway structure are designed for high efficiency, minimizing taxi times and reducing emissions from ground operations.

Western Sydney itself is one of Australia’s most diverse and fastest-growing regions. With a population exceeding 2.5 million and increasing every year, the area around the airport represents a dynamic mix of residential, commercial, and natural landscapes. The arrival of a major international airport in this region has brought significant urban transformation, infrastructure development, and economic uplift. Educational institutions, research centers, and corporate headquarters have started to establish a presence in the surrounding precincts, building a strong ecosystem around the airport.

In addition to passenger services, the airport is a key freight hub. A dedicated cargo precinct supports 24-hour operations and is linked directly to road and rail freight corridors. It is capable of handling hundreds of thousands of tonnes of goods annually, supporting both domestic logistics and international trade. With high ceilings, wide-body aircraft capacity, and purpose-built warehousing, the freight area is among the most advanced in the country.

For Microsoft Flight Simulator users, YSWS Western Sydney Airport MSFS recreates this impressive new facility with precision and realism. The scenery includes high-resolution ground imagery, custom-modeled terminal interiors, dynamic lighting, accurately placed apron objects, and animated metro trains. Runway lighting, signage, and approach aids are implemented according to current aviation standards. Performance has been optimized using level-of-detail modeling throughout, allowing smooth operation without compromising visual quality.

Whether used as a domestic hub, a long-haul gateway, or a cargo operations center, YSWS offers a unique flight simulation experience. It reflects the ambition and scale of modern aviation infrastructure and brings to life a major airport that will shape the future of Sydney and Australia for generations to come.

Our YSWS MSFS scenery sets a new standard for realism and performance. Built with high-resolution drone-derived ground textures, full PBR materials, custom lighting systems, animated service vehicles and metro trains, and hand-crafted interior spaces, every inch of the airport is optimized for both immersion and performance. Static service elements and detailed apron wear add life and realism, while seamless LODs ensure a smooth experience across all systems.