A Qantas Airbus A321 freighter has become the first cargo aircraft to land at Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), completing a readiness flight ahead of regular freight operations beginning later this month.
Flight QF7301 touched down at 14:00 local time on July 13, 2026, at the airport also known as Nancy-Bird Walton Airport. The flight helped validate key operational processes at the airport’s new Cargo Precinct, including aircraft handling, ground operations, systems, airside coordination, and cargo transfer procedures.
Counting down to launch
Regular domestic freighter operations from Western Sydney International will start on July 27, 2026 with the new terminal expected to handle more than 850 tonnes of freight each week.
Qantas will operate from a 24,000-square-meter freight terminal at the airport, designed to streamline cargo handling at Sydney’s newest gateway.
Igor Kwiatkowski, Executive Manager of Qantas Freight, said the test flight was an important step before launching operations.
“Western Sydney International Airport is set to become one of Australia’s key air freight hubs and today’s flight was an important opportunity to test key procedures ahead of starting operations,” Kwiatkowski said. “In just a few weeks, this new 24-hour facility will provide greater flexibility for our freight network, helping us meet growing demand for e-commerce and next-day deliveries.”
Testing before opening day
Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer of Western Sydney International Airport, said the trial program allows the airport to test its systems ahead of commercial operations.
“We’ve utilised the latest technology and innovations to deliver a highly efficient, sustainable, and future-proofed 24-hour Cargo Precinct,” Hickey said. “Our operational readiness program and live aircraft trials present an excellent opportunity to test these capabilities.”
Hickey also acknowledged the coordination between the airport, Airservices Australia, and Cargo Precinct partners in delivering the trial program.
The freight milestone comes ahead of the airport’s passenger debut. Jetstar will operate the first commercial passenger flight from Western Sydney International on October 25, 2026, the airport’s opening day. Qantas passenger services will follow on March 28, 2027, as part of an agreement between the Qantas Group and the airport covering both passenger and freight operations.