View source for Sydney Airport

{{Short description|International airport serving Sydney, New South Wales, Australia}}
{{About|the main airport serving Sydney, Australia|the upcoming secondary airport|Western Sydney International Airport|other uses|Sydney Airport (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox airport
| name                = Sydney Airport
| nativename          = <small>Sydney–Kingsford Smith</small>
| image               = Sydney Airport logo.svg
| image-width         = 150
| image2              = Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith) - aerial view (cropped).jpg
| image2-width        = 250
| IATA                = SYD
| ICAO                = YSSY
| type                = Public
| owner-oper          = [[Sydney Airport Corporation]]
| city-served         = [[Sydney]]
| location            = [[Mascot, New South Wales]], Australia
| opened              = {{start date and age|1920|01|09|df=yes}}
| hub                 = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Qantas]]
  | [[Virgin Australia]]}}
| operating_base      = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Jetstar]]
  | [[Rex Airlines]]}}
| elevation-f         = 21
| coordinates         = {{coord|33|56|46|S|151|10|38|E|region:AU-NSW|display=inline,title}}
| website             = {{URL|www.sydneyairport.com.au}}
| pushpin_map         = Australia Sydney# Australia New South Wales#Australia#Oceania
| mapframe            = yes
| image_map           = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=11|frame-latitude=-33.946111|frame-longitude=151.177222}}
| pushpin_label       = '''SYD'''/YSSY
| metric-rwy          = y
| r1-number           = 07/25
| r1-length-m         = 2,530
| r1-surface          = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r2-number           = 16L/34R
| r2-length-m         = 2,438
| r2-surface          = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r3-number           = 16R/34L
| r3-length-m         = 3,963
| r3-surface          = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| stat-year           = 
| stat1-header        = Passengers (2024)
| stat1-data          = 41,400,000<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5y5k0x4/2ozpKDREwS2COzV0EypWRZ/d4dd5238f386db3d759d14fb1aa93624/Sydney_Airport_Traffic_Performance_Q4_2024_Final.pdf|title=Sydney Airport Annual Traffic Performance 2024|access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref>
| stat3-header        = Airfreight in tonnes (2012)
| stat3-data          = 444,419<ref name="dit">http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/airport_traffic_data.aspxtraffic {{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref>
| stat2-header        = Aircraft movements (2023)
| stat2-data          = 295,767<ref name="Monthly Airport Traffic Data for top twenty airports: January 2009 to current - December 2023">{{cite web |url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/WebMonthlyAirportDecember2023.xlsx |title=Monthly Airport Traffic Data Dec 2023 |publisher=Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts|access-date=3 April 2024 }}</ref>
| stat4-header        = Economic impacts (2012)
| stat4-data          = {{nowrap|$13.2 billion<ref name=SYD_ESI>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecquants.com/2012_SYD.aspx |title=Sydney airport – Economic and social impacts |publisher=Ecquants |access-date=7 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101209/http://www.ecquants.com/2012_SYD.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><!--end nowrap:-->}}
| footnotes           = Source: [[Aeronautical Information Publication|AIP]]<ref name=AIP>{{AIP AU|YSSY|name=SYDNEY/(Kingsford Smith)}}</ref><br />Passenger and aircraft movements from the [[Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development#Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics|Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics]]<ref name="dit"/>
| WMO                 = 94767
}}

'''Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport''' {{airport codes|SYD|YSSY}} — colloquially '''Kingsford Smith Airport''', '''Sydney Airport''' or '''Mascot Airport''' — is an [[international airport]] serving [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia, {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the [[Sydney central business district]], in the suburb of [[Mascot, New South Wales|Mascot]]. It is the primary airport serving Sydney and is the main hub for [[Qantas]], the flagship airline of Australia, as well as a hub for [[Virgin Australia]] and an operating base for [[Jetstar]].

Situated next to [[Botany Bay]] on 907 [[hectares]] (2,241 [[acres]]) of land with three runways,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/planning-and-projects/master-plan|title=SYD Airport Master Plan 2039 (pgs. 20,59,62)|website=sydneyairport.com.au|access-date= 14 November 2023}}</ref> Sydney Airport is one of the world's longest continuously operated commercial airports<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sydneyairport.com/corporate/sustainability/environment/heritage |title=Sydney Airport heritage |access-date=31 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831133357/https://www.sydneyairport.com/corporate/sustainability/environment/heritage |archive-date=31 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> and is the [[List of the busiest airports in Australia|busiest airport in Australia]], handling 41.4 million passengers<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5y5k0x4/2ozpKDREwS2COzV0EypWRZ/d4dd5238f386db3d759d14fb1aa93624/Sydney_Airport_Traffic_Performance_Q4_2024_Final.pdf|title=Sydney Airport Annual Traffic Performance 2024|access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref> and 348,904 aircraft movements<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/publications/reports-and-statistics/movements-at-australian-airports/|title=Movements at Australian Airports Financial Year 2017|website=Airservices Australia|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160417/http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/publications/reports-and-statistics/movements-at-australian-airports/|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> in 2024 and 2017, respectively. Currently, 46 domestic and 43 international destinations are served to Sydney directly, having been the 48th [[List of busiest airports by passenger traffic|busiest airport in the world]] in 2022. In 2018, the airport was rated in the top five worldwide for airports handling 40–50 million passengers annually and was overall voted the 20th best airport in the world at the Skytrax World Airport Awards.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skytrax |title=Skytrax World Airport Awards 2019 |url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-top-100-airports-2019/ |website=Skytrax |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref>

The airport is owned by [[Sydney Airport Corporation Limited]].

==History==
{{See also|Mascot, New South Wales#History}}

===1911–1930: Early history===
[[File:Australian National Airways Limited (A.N.A.) hanger Mascot 1929-1931 ULM.jpg|thumb|left|The newly-completed [[Australian National Airways (1930)|Australian National Airways Limited]] hangar at Mascot aerodrome, c. 1929–1931]]
The land used for the airport had been a bullock paddock, with a lot of the area around Mascot being swampy.<ref name="Bullock">{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/bullock-paddock-grew-to-nations-busiest-air-hub/story-e6frg95x-1225799888484|title=Bullock paddock grew to nation's busiest air hub|work=[[The Australian]]|author=Steve Creedy|date=24 November 2009|publisher=News Corp|access-date=7 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722095118/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/bullock-paddock-grew-to-nations-busiest-air-hub/story-e6frg95x-1225799888484|archive-date=22 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Flights had been taking off from at least 1911 from these fields, with aviators using other Sydney locations like [[Anderson Park, Neutral Bay|Anderson Park]] and [[Neutral Bay]] for a few years prior.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.smh.com.au/national/100-years-of-sydney-airport-flying-20110417-1djh0.html| title = 100 years of Sydney Airport flying| date = 17 April 2011}}</ref>

[[Nigel Love]], who had been a pilot in the [[First World War]], was interested in establishing the nation's first aircraft manufacturing company. This idea would require him to establish a factory and an [[aerodrome]] close to the city. A real estate office in Sydney told him of some land owned by the Kensington Race Club that was being kept as a hedge against its losing its government-owned site at [[Randwick]]. It had been used by a local abattoir which was closing down, to graze sheep and cattle.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} This land appealed to Love as the surface was perfectly flat and was covered with a pasture of [[buffalo grass]]. The grass had been grazed so evenly by the sheep and cattle that it required little to make it serviceable for aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} In addition, the approaches on all four sides had no obstructions, it was bounded by [[Ascot Racecourse, Sydney|Ascot Racecourse]], gardens, a river, and [[Botany Bay]].

Love established the airfield at Mascot as a private concern, leasing {{Convert|200|acre|ha|sigfig=1|order=flip}} from the Kensington Race Club for three years. It initially had a small canvas structure but was later equipped with an imported Richards hangar. The first flight from Mascot was in November 1919 when Love carried freelance movie photographer Billy Marshall up in an Avro. Sydney Airport was declared an [[aerodrome]] and officially opened in January 1920.<ref name=enviro_strategy>{{cite web|url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5y5k0x4/3OlFJ7Wcm4kgIAiGUyS6yM/4ec71a2886bc57555030b8d16634ffeb/Chapter_1_Introduction.pdf|title=Sydney Airport Environment Strategy 2013–2018 - Chapter 1 Introduction|publisher=Sydney Airport|page=13|access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref> The official opening flight took place on 9 January 1920, also performed by Love.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 January 1920 |title=Aerial joy riding. Tests at Mascot |work=[[Evening News (Sydney)|Evening News]] |page=4 |location=Sydney |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115881443 |access-date=3 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225155605/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115881443 |archive-date=25 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1921, the [[Government of Australia|Commonwealth Government]] purchased {{Convert|161|acre|ha|order=flip}} in Mascot for the purpose of creating a public airfield. In 1923, when Love's three-year lease expired, the Mascot land was [[Eminent domain|compulsorily acquired]] by the Commonwealth Government from the racing club.<ref name="Bullock"/> The first regular flights began in 1924.

===1930–1950===
[[File:SLNSW 12745 Control tower taken for Building Publishing Co.jpg|thumb|left|The 1940 terminal building and control tower]]
[[File:Sydney Airport 1940 Terminal Building September 2024 1.jpg|thumb|left|The same terminal building in September 2024, with the control tower since removed]]

In 1933, the first gravel runways were built. On 14 August 1936, the airport was renamed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport<ref>''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' 9 August 1938 p.12</ref> in honour of pioneering Australian aviator [[Charles Kingsford Smith|Sir Charles Kingsford Smith]]. In 1940, the [[Department of Civil Aviation (Australia)|Department of Civil Aviation]] constructed an administrative and terminal building in the eastern part of the aerodrome, with a control tower cab at the top floor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Control%20towers%20pt%201.htm|title=Control Towers Part 1 (1937-1946)|website=The Civil Aviation Historical Society & Airways Museum|access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref> The building is now part of Terminal 3 since 1999, but the control tower cab has already been removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airwaysmuseum.com/SY%20Ops-Admin-Twr%20c46%20QEA%20LB30%20G-AGKU.htm|title=Sydney Control Building and Tower|website=The Civil Aviation Historical Society & Airways Museum|access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref>

By 1949, the airport had three runways – the {{convert|1085|m|ft|adj=on}} 11/29, the {{convert|1190|m|ft|0|adj=on}} 16/34, and the {{convert|1787|m|ft|0|adj=on}} 04/22. The [[Sydney Freight Network|Sydenham to Botany railway line]] crossed runway 04/22 approximately {{convert|150|m|ft}} from the northern end and was protected by special safe working facilities.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pollard|first=Neville|title=Offal, Oil and Overseas Trade: The Story of the Sydenham to Botany Railway Line|year=1988|publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division|location=Australia|isbn=0-909650-21-7|page=51}}</ref>

In the late 1940s (c. 1947–1949), a temporary overseas passenger (i.e. international) terminal was constructed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/researchpapers/Documents/options-for-sydneys-second-airport/04-01.pdf|title=Options for Sydney's Second Airport - Briefing Paper No 4/2001|website=Parliament of NSW|publisher=NSW Parliamentary Library Research Service|author=Stewart Smith|page=2|date=April 2001|access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18134535/1029868|title=Advertising - Commonwealth Government Department of Civil Aviation|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|page=15|date=28 September 1949|access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> The original 1940 terminal then became the terminal building for the [[Trans Australia Airlines]] (TAA), the government-owned domestic airline, and the building also became known as the TAA terminal building. The temporary overseas passenger terminal was later replaced by a newer one in 1954, located just north of the 1940 terminal building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/63385174@N06/6954346710/in/album-72157629507446056/|title=Sydney ( Mascot ) Airport aerial 1954|website=Flickr|date=8 February 2006 |access-date=25 May 2024}}</ref>

===1950–1990: Modernisation and upgrades===
[[File:DC8, Sydney, 1972.jpg|thumb|[[KLM]] [[Douglas DC-8]] at Gate 2 of the International Terminal in 1972|left]]

During the year 1950, the airport handled at least 793,956 passengers and was ranked among the busiest airports in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214162657|title=Sydney's Busy Airport|publisher=Warialda Standard and Northern Districts' Advertiser|page=4|date=20 August 1951|access-date=7 October 2024}}</ref>

Between 1947 and 1953, the [[Cooks River]] was diverted away around the western side of the airport and other small streams were filled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adastra.adastron.com/projects/sydney-airport-1947-1975.htm|title=Sydney Airport 1947–1975|website=Adastra Aerial Surveys|access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref> This allowed the construction of two new paved runways to replace the three gravel runways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18357562|title=Mascot Prepares For The Jet Era|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|page=2|date=16 February 1953|access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref> The first paved runway to be constructed was 07/25, completed in 1953–1954. Subsequently, the next paved runway to be constructed was 16/34 (now 16R/34L) which replaced the parallel gravel runway 16/34. Both runways were constructed south of the gravel runways. At the same time, on 2 November 1953, a new air traffic control tower with an integrated fire station was constructed northeast of where the two runways intersect, replacing the control tower on the 1940 terminal building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lovellchen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/20180108_Bankstown-ACT2_HMP_exhibition_screen_apps.pdf|title=Bankstown Air Traffic Control Tower No. 2 - Heritage Management Plan|page=44|date=December 2017|access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Control%20towers%20pt%202.htm|title=Control Towers Part 2 (post-1946)|website=The Civil Aviation Historical Society & Airways Museum|access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref> The tower was demolished in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aicomos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009_UnlovedModern_Gray_Kate_Mournment_Adam__Air_Traffic_control_Slides1.pdf|title=Unloved Modern Air Traffic Control Towers in Australia|publisher=Lovell Chen Architects & Heritage Consultants|author1=Kate Gray|author2=Adam Mornement|date=c. 2009|access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>

The new runway 16/34 was later extended southwards into Botany Bay over [[General Holmes Drive]] in 1968 to accommodate long-haul international jets, and then extended again to its current length in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=reports/1963/1963_pp240.pdf|title=The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works - Report relating to the proposed Southern Extension of the 16/34 Runway at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport|website=Parliament of Australia|date=22 August 1963|access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=enviro_strategy/> Since then, the east–west 07/25 runway was {{convert|8300|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} long;<ref>''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology|Aviation Daily]]'' 27 July 1971</ref> and the north–south 16/34 runway was one of the longest runways in the [[southern hemisphere]].
 
Up to the early 1960s, the majority of Sydneysiders referred to the airport as Mascot. Jet aircraft started to arrive in July 1959, with the introduction of [[Qantas]]' [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-138]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Steve Meacham |date=8 November 2019 |title=World's oldest airports: Sydney Airport celebrates 100 years in 2019 |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/worlds-oldest-airports-sydney-airport-celebrates-100-years-in-2019-20191029-h1j7t3.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aussieairliners.org/b-707q/vh-ebb/vhebb.html|title=VH-EBB. Boeing 707-138. c/n 17697-39.|website=AussieAirliners|access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref> By the 1960s, the need for a new international terminal had become apparent. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, a terminal block for both international and domestic flights was proposed to be at the southeast portion of the airport near General Holmes Drive, but the proposal never eventuated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63454723|title=£3,500,000 Plan for Sydney Airport|publisher=Townsville Daily Bulletin|page=4|date=4 January 1949|access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/277366275|title=Mascot Drome's Really Big Now|publisher=Daily Mirror|page=18|date=14 May 1953|access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref> Work commenced on the construction of the new terminal in late 1966. Much of the new terminal was designed by Paynter and Dixon Industries with [[Costain Group|Costain]] appointed lead contractor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paynter and Dixon|newspaper=[[The Sun-Herald]]|date=26 April 1970|page=57}}</ref><ref>Kingsford Smith Airport ''[[Australian Transport]]'' April 1968 page 43</ref> The new terminal was officially opened on 3 May 1970, by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]. The first [[Boeing 747]] "Jumbo Jet" at the airport, [[Pan Am]]'s ''Clipper Flying Cloud'' (N734PA), arrived on 4 October 1970.[[File:Sydney Airport Terminal Control Unit.JPG|thumb|Control tower No. 4, in operation between 1972 and 1996]]Meanwhile, the 1940 TAA domestic terminal was expanded and modernised in 1962, with departures separated from arrivals along with other upgrades.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fabsydneyflashbacks.blogspot.com/2021/09/taaterminalopens1962.html|title=1962: TAA Terminal opens at Sydney Airport|publisher=Fab Sydney Flashbacks|date=6 September 2021|access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Mulligan, J. A. (John Aloysius) | title=A view of the new TAA terminal at Mascot Airport, Sydney, 29 June, 1962 | publication-date=1962 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/22491979 | access-date=25 May 2024}}</ref> The terminal was replaced by a new TAA terminal in 1974, constructed on the site of the old international terminal building after the new international terminal opened four years prior. The new terminal was located directly north and adjacent to the original TAA terminal. The 1940 terminal was then taken over by [[East-West Airlines (Australia)|East-West Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fabsydneyflashbacks.blogspot.com/2021/09/taaterminal.html|title=1974: TAA build another new terminal at Sydney Airport|publisher=Fab Sydney Flashbacks|date=13 September 2021|access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref>

Upgrades and expansion of the Ansett terminal (now Terminal 2) also began in 1974.<ref name=ansett1974>{{cite web|url=https://fabsydneyflashbacks.blogspot.com/2019/06/ansettterminalupgrade1974.html|title=1974: Ansett Terminal Upgrade Advertisement|publisher=Fab Sydney Flashbacks|date=24 June 2019|access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>

===1990–2010===
Since the international terminal's original completion, it has undergone a few expansions. The international terminal was first expanded in 1992 with the construction of Pier C in the south.<ref name="olympic_expansion_proposals_report">{{cite report | author      = Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works | date = 1997-06-19 | title = Report relating to the proposed Sydney Airport: International Terminal - Olympic Upgrading | url = https://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=reports/1997/1997_pp110.pdf | publisher = [[Parliament of Australia]] | page = 4 | access-date = 2024-03-07 }}</ref>

The limitations of having only two runways that crossed each other had become apparent and governments grappled with Sydney's airport capacity for decades. Eventually, the controversial decision to build a third runway was made. The third runway was parallel to the existing runway 16/34, entirely on reclaimed land from [[Botany Bay]]. A [[Second Sydney Airport|proposed new airport on the outskirts of Sydney]] was shelved in 2004, before being re-examined in 2009–2012 following reports that Kingsford Smith airport will not be able to cope by 2030.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The "third runway", which the Commonwealth government commenced development of in 1989 and completed in 1994, remained controversial because of increased aircraft movements, especially over inner suburbs. In 1995 the [[No Aircraft Noise]] party was formed to contest the [[1995 New South Wales state election]]. The party did not win a seat in parliament but came close in the electorate of [[Electoral district of Marrickville|Marrickville]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1995 Election (various)|url=http://www.abc.net.au/elections/archive/|website=Antony Green's Electoral Publication Archive|publisher=ABC Australia|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref> It also contested the [[1996 Australian federal election]].

In 1995, the Australian Parliament passed the ''Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995'', which [[night flying restrictions|limits the operating hours of the airport]]. This was done in an effort to reduce airport noise over residential areas and thereby curb complaints. The curfew prevents aircraft from taking off or landing between the hours of 11&nbsp;pm and 6&nbsp;am. A limited number of scheduled and approved take-offs and landings are permitted respectively in the "shoulder periods" of 11&nbsp;pm to midnight and 5&nbsp;am to 6&nbsp;am. The Act does not stop all aircraft movements overnight but limits noise by restricting the types of aircraft that can operate, the runways they can use and the number of flights allowed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/environmental/pdf/airport_curfews_general_information_fact_sheet.pdf |title=Airport Curfews&nbsp;– General Information |access-date=27 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101144511/http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/environmental/pdf/airport_curfews_general_information_fact_sheet.pdf |archive-date=1 November 2012 }}</ref> During extreme weather, flights are often delayed and it is often the case that people on late flights are unable to travel on a given day. {{as of|2009}}, fines for violating curfew have been levied against four airlines, with a maximum fine of A$550,000 applicable.<ref>{{cite news|last=Creedy|first=Steve|title=Jetstar fined for airport curfew breach|url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25436950-5014090,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507162427/http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25436950-5014090,00.html|archive-date=7 May 2009|date=6 May 2009|access-date=31 May 2009|website=News.com.au}}</ref> In addition to the curfew, Sydney Airport also has a cap of 80 aircraft movements per hour which cannot be exceeded, leading to increased delays during peak hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/Movement_Cap_Report_Sydney_December_Quarter_2010.pdf |title=Sydney Airport Runway Movement Cap Report for December quarter 2010 |access-date=27 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624151719/http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/Movement_Cap_Report_Sydney_December_Quarter_2010.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1998, the Federal Government agreed to separate Sydney Airport from the [[Federal Airports Corporation]] and to incorporate it as Sydney Airport Corporation. David Mortimer was appointed as Chair and Tony Stuart as CEO. Its mandate was to successfully redevelop the airport as the gateway for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, support the growth of new airlines such as Virgin and Emirates, and prepare it for a successful $3 billion-plus privatisation. In 2001 Sydney Airport was awarded World's Best Airport. In preparation for privatisation the airport argued successfully for a new regulatory regime.

All three terminals were upgraded prior to the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] which was to be held in Sydney.<ref name=afr_olympics/><ref name=t2_sold/><ref name="Architravel"/>

In 2002, the [[Government of Australia|Commonwealth Government]] sold [[Sydney Airport Corporation]] (SAC), to Southern Cross Airports Corporation Holdings for $5.4 billion. 83 percent of SAC is owned by MAp Airports International Limited, a subsidiary of [[Macquarie Group]], Sydney Airport Intervest GmbH owns 12 percent and [[Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan|Ontario Teachers' Australia Trust]] owns 5 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairport.com/SACL/Ownership.html |title=Ownership |website=Sydneyairport.com.au |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003235057/http://www.sydneyairport.com/SACL/Ownership.html |archive-date=3 October 2011 }}</ref> SACL holds a 99-year lease on the airport which remains [[Crown land]] and as such is categorised as a Leased Federal Airport.<ref>[http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/airport/index.aspx Leased Federal Airports, Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006210513/http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/airport/index.aspx |date=6 October 2014 }} (accessed 4 September 2014)</ref>

In 2005, a planned expansion of the airport was announced, including the construction of a multi-level car park, and the expansion of both international and domestic terminals. The expansion was planned to stretch over twenty years (2005–25). These expansions—and other plans and policies by Macquarie Bank for airport operations were seen as controversial, as they were performed without the legal oversight of [[Local government in Australia|local councils]], which usually act as the local planning authority for such developments.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} {{as of|2006|April}}, some of the proposed development has been scaled back.<ref name=SMH>''[[Sydney Morning Herald]].'' 21 April 2006 issue</ref>
[[File:Sydney Airport Terminal 1 Restrict Area shops 2017.jpg|thumb|Modernised retail area of Terminal 1]]
The international terminal underwent a {{currency|500 million|aud}} renovation that was completed in mid-2010. The upgrade includes a new baggage system, an extra {{Convert|7300|m2|0|abbr=on}} of space for shops and passenger waiting areas, expansion of the transit zone, and other improvements.<ref name=t1_2010>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairport.com/sacl/International-Terminal---Expansion-and-Upgrade.html |title=International Terminal&nbsp;– Expansion and Upgrade |website=Sydneyairport.com.au |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825221016/http://www.sydneyairport.com/Sacl/International-Terminal---Expansion-and-Upgrade.html |archive-date=25 August 2010 }}</ref>

In March 2010, the [[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]] released a report sharply critical of [[price gouging]] at Sydney airport, ranking it fifth out of five airports. The report noted Sydney Airport recorded the highest average prices at $13.63 per passenger, compared to the lowest at $7.96 at [[Melbourne Airport]], while the price of short-term parking had almost doubled in the 2008–09 financial year, from $28 to $50 for four hours. This amounts to the highest profit margins on aeronautical services and very high profit margins on car parking fees.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-20/questions-raised-about-potential-badgerys-creek-operators/8135406|title=Badgerys Creek Airport: Questions raised about Sydney Airport Group|date=20 December 2016|publisher=ABC News}}</ref> The report also accused the airport of abusing its monopoly power.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=West|first1=Andrew|last2=Matt|first2=O'Sullivan|title=ACCC slams price gouging at Sydney Airport|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 March 2010|url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/accc-slams-price-gouging-at-sydney-airport-20100311-q1lj.html|access-date=26 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721212020/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/accc-slams-price-gouging-at-sydney-airport-20100311-q1lj.html|archive-date=21 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Since 2011: Modern history===
{{Update|section|date=April 2020}}
In December 2011, Sydney Airport announced a proposal to divide the airport into two airline-alliance-based precincts; integrating international, domestic, and regional services under one roof by 2019. The current domestic Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 would be used by Qantas, Jetstar, and members of the [[Oneworld]] airline alliance while today's international Terminal 1 would be used by [[Virgin Australia]] and its international partners. Other international airlines would continue to operate from T1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/media-centre/media-releases/media-release-detail.aspx?item=%7b19FE83DF-66A6-49CA-A219-72C3A4A4C7E0%7d&lst=%7bC313C142-0E4E-4269-A2FB-BDEB95B3BC9E%7d&cat=%7b8555596C-B175-417F-9CE3-6BC16C1F0630%7d|title=New Vision To Integrate International, Domestic and Regional Services|website=Sydneyairport.com.au|access-date=5 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111020031/http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/media-centre/media-releases/media-release-detail.aspx?item=%7B19FE83DF-66A6-49CA-A219-72C3A4A4C7E0%7D&lst=%7BC313C142-0E4E-4269-A2FB-BDEB95B3BC9E%7D&cat=%7B8555596C-B175-417F-9CE3-6BC16C1F0630%7D|archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref> In September 2012, Sydney Airport Managing Director and  CEO [[Kerrie Mather]] announced the airport had abandoned the proposal to create alliance-based terminals in favour of terminals "based around specific airline requirements and (passenger) transfer flows". She stated the plan was to minimise the number of passengers transferring between terminals.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ghee |first1=Ryan |year=2012 |title=Integrated Terminals Central to Sydney Airport Vision |journal=ACI Asia-Pacific Airports |issue=Winter 2012 |pages=13–14 |publisher=PPS Publications Ltd. }}</ref>

[[File:Sydneyairportfromabove123.JPG|thumb|Aerial view of the airport and its surrounds, 2016]]

In June 2013, the airport released a draft version of its 2033 Master Plan, which proposes operating domestic and international flights from the same terminals using 'swing gates', along with upgrading Terminal 3 (currently the Qantas domestic terminal) to accommodate the [[Airbus A380]].<ref>{{cite news|last=McKenny|first=Leesha|title=Airport says the sky's the limit|url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/airport-says-the-skys-the-limit-20130604-2noc5.html|access-date=4 June 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610174127/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/airport-says-the-skys-the-limit-20130604-2noc5.html|archive-date=10 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="5 June 2013">{{cite web|title=Sydney Airport Master Plan|url=http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/master-plan/|website=Sydneyairport.com.au|access-date=5 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019035227/http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/master-plan|archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> On 17 February 2014, the Australian Government approved the Master Plan,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2014/February/wt016_2014.aspx |title=Sydney Airport Master Plan Approved |date=18 February 2014 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017195600/http://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2014/February/wt016_2014.aspx |archive-date=17 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> which outlines the airport's plans to cater to the forecast demand of 74 million passengers in 2033. The plan includes Sydney Airport's first-ever integrated ground transport plan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/master-plan.aspx |title=Master Plan 2014 |date=18 February 2014 |access-date=11 March 2014 |publisher=sydneyairport.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302201230/http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/master-plan.aspx |archive-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 August 2018, the Sydney Airport Master Plan 2039 was announced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Master Plan 2039 - Overview |url=https://prod.sydair-public-website.com/corporate/planning-and-projects/master-plan |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=prod.sydair-public-website.com}}</ref> The Sydney Airport Masterplan 2039 is a strategic plan that outlines the [https://www.bcicentral.com/projects/sydney-airport-masterplan-2039/ long-term vision for the development of Sydney Airport]. The airport expects international travellers passing through its terminals to double over the next two decades and underpin an expected 50 per cent increase in passenger numbers by 2039.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sydney Airport releases 2039 draft master plan |url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2018/08/sydney-airport-releases-2039-draft-master-plan/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Australian Aviation |date=29 August 2018 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The plan aims to minimise traffic congestion on ground transportation.

==Operations==

=== Runways ===
[[File:YSSY Layout.svg|thumb|Airport map|180x180px]]Runway 07/25 is used mainly by lighter aircraft but is used by all aircraft including Airbus A380s when conditions require. Runway 16R/34L is presently the longest operational runway in Australia, with a paved length of {{Convert|14300|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} and {{Convert|12850|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} between the zebra thresholds. Runway 16L/34R is mainly used by domestic aircraft and large aircraft up to the size of B767/A330/B787/B772/A359, but is used by larger aircraft such as B77L/B773/B77W/B744/A340/A35K/MD11 when no other runway is available.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

=== Control towers ===
{{main|Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control Tower}}[[File:20230811 ATC Tower of SYD.jpg|thumb|270x270px|[[Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control Tower|Air Traffic Control Tower]] No.5, in operation since 1996]]

The present [[Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control Tower|Sydney Airport control tower]] (No. 5) is the fifth [[air traffic control tower]] at the airport. It is also [[Australian Commonwealth Heritage List|heritage-listed]] since 2016. The tower occupies a central position in the airport, located northeast to where [[General Holmes Drive]] goes under the main Runway 16R/34L. It began construction in 1993 in conjunction with the construction of parallel Runway 16L/34R, and was commissioned on 6 January 1996.<ref name="ahd-106116">{{cite AHD|106116|Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control Tower|fn=1/16/007/0014|accessdate=21 September 2018}}</ref>

The control tower replaces the fourth control tower (No. 4) built in 1972, located at the mouth of Cooks River and south of General Holmes Drive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1497636451|title=The 'mix' master's burden|publisher=The Bulletin|date=19 August 1972|access-date=23 May 2024}}</ref> {{as of|2021}}, the control tower complex remains standing and is used by [[Airservices Australia]] as its Traffic Control Unit to manage planes within a {{convert|100|km}} radius from Sydney. However, the Traffic Control Unit was slated to be moved to Melbourne and the control tower complex was slated for demolition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-26/sydney-air-traffic-controllers-relocated-to-melbourne/100095840|title=Sydney skies would be controlled by Melbourne under plan to relocate air traffic controller jobs|publisher=ABC News|date=26 April 2021|access-date=23 May 2024}}</ref>

==Terminals==
Sydney Airport has three passenger terminals. The International Terminal (Terminal 1) is separated from the other two domestic terminals (Terminals 2 & 3) by runway 16R/34L; therefore, connecting passengers need to allow for longer transfer times ranging from 30 minutes to an hour or more.

The existing terminal numbering system (Terminals 1 to 3) was adopted on 24 September 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Airport Services Overview |url=http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/Sydney+Airport/airport+info/airport+services+overview.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021209112745/http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/Sydney+Airport/airport+info/airport+services+overview.htm |archive-date=9 December 2002 |website=Sydney Airport}}</ref>

===Terminal 1===
[[File:Terminal 1 Sydney Airport 2021.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Terminal 1]]
[[File:Sydney Airport Terminal 1f.jpg|thumb|Terminal 1 airside]]
[[File:SYDepartures.jpg|thumb|Duty-free concourse, Terminal 1]]
Terminal 1 is also known as the International Terminal and serves all international flights. It is located in the airport's northwestern sector. It was opened on 3 May 1970, replacing the old Overseas Passenger Terminal (which was located where Terminal 3 stands now), and has been greatly expanded since then. The first extension in 1992 opened Pier C to the south with nine new gates, increasing the number of gates from 17 to 26. The original piers that opened in 1970 also became known as Pier B.<ref name="olympic_expansion_proposals_report"/> The second extension was undertaken between 1997 and 2000 before the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], including ten new aircraft parking positions and new integrated baggage handling system.<ref name=afr_olympics>{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/airport-faces-the-big-test-19971127-k7szi|title=Airport faces the big test|publisher=Australian Financial Review|date=27 November 1997|access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sydneyairportmedia.com/archive/SIT_Official_Opening_Chrm_rel.htm|title=Upgraded Sydney Airport to boost jobs, economy|publisher=Sydney Airport Media|date=27 July 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020103023551/http://sydneyairportmedia.com/archive/SIT_Official_Opening_Chrm_rel.htm|archive-date=3 January 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> A third $500 million redevelopment was completed in 2010, by which the shopping complex was expanded, outbound customs operations were centralised and the floor space of the terminal increased to {{convert|254000|m2}}.<ref name=t1_2010/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairport.com/SACL/Master-Plan.html |title=Master Plan 2039 |website=Sydneyairport.com.au |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003235202/http://www.sydneyairport.com/SACL/Master-Plan.html |archive-date=3 October 2011 }}</ref> Further renovations began in 2015 with a reconfiguration and decluttering of outbound and inbound duty-free areas, an extension of the airside dining areas, and the installation of [[Australian Border Force]] outbound immigration [[SmartGate]]s. These works were completed in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/upgrading-your-journey/projects/improvement-programs/t1-improvements-program |title=T1 improvements program |access-date=31 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030304/http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/upgrading-your-journey/projects/improvement-programs/t1-improvements-program |archive-date=17 November 2015 }}</ref>

The terminal has 25 gates served by aerobridges, thirteen of which are in Pier B (numbered 8–10, 24–25 and 30–37), and twelve in Pier C (numbered 50–51, 53–61 and 63).<ref name=t1map_2024>{{cite web|url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5y5k0x4/2ADpDZk6nQNKzCOzyDSiFl/cd26de61cb19d553ded472ac53359b21/T1_Departures.pdf|title=T1 Departures Map|website=Sydney Airport|access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref> Prior to the 2010 upgrade, there also used to be gates 20, 22 and 23 in Pier B.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairport.squiz.net/maps/map_sit|title=T1 Map|website=Sydney Airport|date=2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031229150555/http://www.sydneyairport.squiz.net/maps/map_sit|archive-date=29 December 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pier B is used by [[Qantas]], all [[Oneworld]] members, and all [[SkyTeam]] members. Pier C is used by [[Virgin Australia]] and its partners as well as all [[Star Alliance]] members. There are also a number of remote bays which are heavily utilised during peak periods and for parking idle aircraft during the day. {{as of|2024}}, there is currently no Pier A, but Pier A would be the name for a northern expansion if it were to happen in the future.<ref name=t1map_2024/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enstruct.com.au/projects/5700/5785-sydney-airport-t1-north.aspx|title=Terminal 1, Pier A|website=Enstruct|access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref>

The terminal building is split into three levels, one each for arrivals, departures, and airline offices. The departure level has 20 rows of check-in desks each with 10 single desks making a total of 200 check-in desks. The terminal hosts eight [[Airport lounge|airline lounges]]: two for Qantas, and one each for The House,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/info-sheet/airline-lounges-t1|title=Airline Lounges|publisher=Sydney Airport|access-date=21 December 2020}}</ref> [[Air New Zealand]], [[Singapore Airlines]], [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]], [[American Express]], and [[SkyTeam]].

===Terminal 2===
[[File:Sydney Airport Domestic Terminals 2 and 3.jpg|thumb|Terminals 2 (left) and 3 (right)]]
[[File:Sydney Airport Terminal 2b.jpg|thumb|Terminal 2 airside]]

Terminal 2, located in the airport's northeastern section, is a domestic terminal and the former home of [[Ansett Australia]]'s domestic operations. It features 20 parking bays served by aerobridges and several remote bays for regional aircraft. It serves [[Jetstar]], [[Link Airways]], and [[Virgin Australia]]. Virgin Australia has a lounge for its customers in the terminal which features a dedicated entrance from the passenger drop-off area as well as its own security screening.<ref name="airline lounges">{{cite web |title=Airline Lounges at Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal 2 |url=https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/info-sheet/airline-lounges-t2 |website=www.sydneyairport.com.au |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>

The terminal was first opened in 1939–1940 as the terminal building for [[Australian National Airways]] (ANA).<ref>{{cite journal|date=April 1940 |title=Airport Building A.N.A's Offices and Hangars |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-369879067/view?partId=nla.obj-369887956 |journal=Decoration and Glass - Journal of Architecture |volume=5 |issue=11 |pages=16, 17, 43 |doi= |access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref> It was expanded in July 1952.<ref>{{cite journal|date=1952 |title= New Australian National Airways Terminal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ncPAAAAIAAJ&q=%22ANA%20terminal%22 |publisher=Clarke & Hunter |journal=Airports & Air Transportation |volume=6–10 |issue= |pages=91 |doi= |access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref> The ANA terminal was included in the sale of ANA to Ansett in 1957. It was upgraded and modernised in 1974–1975 with a new baggage handling system, moving walkways, air-conditioned departure lounges and aerobridges. It also had a covered bridge from the domestic car park to the terminal.<ref name=ansett1974/>

During the 1990s, the terminal was upgraded and redevelopment two times. The first redevelopment was announced in 1989, and included a new western concourse, new boarding lounges at the existing concourse and new aircraft-parking positions. This was to create additional gates for other airlines, required as part of the new 30-year lease for the terminal that Ansett had signed with the federal government.<ref name=1989lease>{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/ansett-plans-100m-sydney-terminal-work-19891201-k3pts|title=Ansett plans $100M Sydney Terminal work|publisher=Australian Financial Review|date=1 December 1989|access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref> The second redevelopment completed before the [[2000 Summer Olympic Games]] for {{AUD|170 million}}.<ref name=t2_sold/>

After Ansett's collapse in 2002, Ansett's administrators sold the terminal lease to the airport for {{AUD|200 million}}, and the terminal became open to all airline operators, including Qantas's regional carriers ([[QantasLink]]) and Virgin Blue (now Virgin Australia).<ref name=t2_sold>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/ansett-sydney-terminal-sold-20020503-gdu6c0.html|title=Ansett Sydney terminal sold|publisher=The Age|date=3 May 2002|access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref> QantasLink moved from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 in 2013.<ref name=qantaslink_move/>

===Terminal 3===
[[File:At Sydney Airport Terminal 3 in December 2022, 13.jpg|thumb|Terminal 3 check-in area]]
Terminal 3 is a domestic terminal serving [[Qantas]] and [[QantasLink]] flights, which moved from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 on 16 August 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nickell |first=Alena |url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/1709818/terminal-take-off-for-country-passengers/?cs=2452 |title=Terminal take off for country passengers|publisher= St George & Sutherland Shire Leader |date=16 August 2013 |access-date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213055332/http://www.theleader.com.au/story/1709818/terminal-take-off-for-country-passengers/?cs=2452 |archive-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=qantaslink_move>{{cite web|title=QantasLink Terminal Change|publisher=[[Qantas]]|url=http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/qantaslink-terminal-change/global/en|access-date=16 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804222605/http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/qantaslink-terminal-change/global/en|archive-date=4 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The terminal is also temporarily home to all [[Rex Airlines]] and [[FlyPelican]] departures while upgrade works are being completed at T2 (Rex and Pelican arrivals are still at T2).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rex Passenger Information |url=https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/rex-t3 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.sydneyairport.com.au}}</ref> It was initially home to [[Trans Australia Airlines]] (TAA, later named Australian Airlines), with Australian Airlines signing a 30 year lease for the terminal with the federal government in 1989.<ref name=1989lease/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/qantas-sells-syd-airport-lease-for-535m/x37499sjv|title=Qantas Sells Syd Airport lease for $535m|publisher=SBS News|date=18 August 2015|access-date=15 June 2024}}</ref> Since the merger of Australian Airlines and Qantas in 1994, the terminal exclusively serves under the Qantas brand. In 2015, Qantas sold its lease of Terminal 3, which was due to continue until 2019, back to Sydney Airport for $535 million. This means Sydney Airport resumes operational responsibility of the terminal, including the lucrative retail areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-sells-sydney-airport-terminal-lease-for-535-million|first=David|last=Flynn|work=Australian Business Traveller|date=18 August 2015|access-date=18 August 2015|title=Qantas sells Sydney Airport terminal lease for $535 million|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904013140/http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-sells-sydney-airport-terminal-lease-for-535-million|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Qantas would retain priority usage for the check-in and baggage facilities and departure gates until mid-2025.

The TAA terminal was built in 1974, occupying the site of the former Overseas Passenger Terminal. The current terminal building is largely the result of extensions designed by [[Hassell (architecture firm)|Hassell]] and completed in 1999. This included the construction of a {{Convert|60|m|4=0|adj=on}} roof span above a new column-free check-in hall and resulted in extending the terminal footprint to {{Convert|80000|m2}}.<ref name="Architravel">{{cite web|title=Qantas Domestic Terminal|url=http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/qantas-domestic-terminal/|website=Architravel|publisher=Achitravel|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423041420/http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/qantas-domestic-terminal/|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tumblr.com/airlinemaps/133351616168/sydney-international-airport-1996-2015-this|title=Sydney International airport, 1996-2015|website=Tumblr|access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> Since the opening of the terminal in 1974, the original airport terminal building built in 1940 was incorporated into the southwest portion of the newer terminal and is currently near gates 17 to 19 of Terminal 3 ({{as of|2024|lc=y}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/v228i5y5k0x4/2yQ6CRnHhefLiilI00wATe/215c0db9133748ed6019ecd01595b383/T3_Departures.pdf|title=T3 Departures Map|website=Sydney Airport|access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref>

The terminal is located in the northeastern section adjacent to Terminal 2, with which it shares an [[Domestic Airport railway station, Sydney|underground train station]]. There are 14 parking bays served by aerobridges, including two served by dual aerobridges. Terminal 3 features a large [[Qantas Club]] lounge, along with a dedicated [[Business Class]] and Chairman's lounge. Terminal 3 also has a 'Heritage Collection' located adjacent to gate 13, dedicated to Qantas and including many collections from the airline's 90-plus years of service. It also has a view of the airport's apron and is used commonly by [[aircraft spotting|plane-spotters]].

===Former Express Terminal===
Sydney Airport previously had a fourth passenger terminal, east of Terminal 2. This was known as ''Domestic Express''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boyle |first1=Jane |title=Virgin Blue fires new salvo at SACL |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/virgin-blue-fires-new-salvo-at-sacl-20021002-k1z8v |access-date=29 December 2020 |work=Australian Financial Review |publisher=The Australian Financial Review |date=2 October 2002}}</ref>  or simply ''Express Terminal''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/Sydney+Airport/airport+info/express+terminal/express+eerminal.htm|title=Express Terminal|website=Sydney Airport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021003082931/http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/Sydney+Airport/airport+info/express+terminal/express+eerminal.htm|archive-date=3 October 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref> Construction of the terminal and adjacent aircraft parking aprons was completed in "a record 56 days", and operations began on 5 June 2000 with an official opening on 18 July that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairportmedia.com/upload/DET_1_mill_pax_release_060301.htm|title=Sydney Airport's Express Terminal celebrates 1 millionth passenger|website=Sydney Airport Media|date=6 March 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010415064311fw_/http://www.sydneyairportmedia.com/upload/DET_1_mill_pax_release_060301.htm|archive-date=15 April 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was used by [[Hazelton Airlines]] (later Rex Airlines) and low-cost carriers Virgin Blue and the now-defunct [[Impulse Airlines]] (until May 2001).<ref>{{cite web |title=Impulse Airlines at Sydney Airport - Submission |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/wopapub/senate/committee/rrat_ctte/completed_inquiries/1999_02/sydney_air/submissions/sub03_doc.ashx |website=Parliament of Australia |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> Following Ansett's collapse and the airport's purchase of the Ansett terminal in 2002, the airlines at the Express Terminal began moving to the former Ansett terminal (Terminal 2). Virgin Blue was last to use the Express Terminal and moved to Terminal 2 on 12 December 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/Sydney+Airport/airport+info/T2+Domestic+Terminal/T2+domestic+terminal.htm|title=T2 domestic terminal|website=Sydney Airport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040805070319/http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/Sydney+Airport/airport+info/T2+Domestic+Terminal/T2+domestic+terminal.htm|archive-date=5 August 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> The former express terminal is now used as an office building.

===Freight terminals===
The airport is a major hub for freight transport to and from Australia, handling approximately 45 percent of the national cargo traffic. Therefore, it is equipped with extensive freight facilities including seven dedicated cargo terminals operated by several handlers.<ref>[https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/about/reports-and-publications/fact-sheets sydneyairport.com - Facts and figures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618082848/https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/about/reports-and-publications/fact-sheets |date=18 June 2019 }} retrieved 18 June 2019</ref>
{{clear}}

==Airlines and destinations==
===Passenger===
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| [[Air Canada]] | [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]], [[Vancouver International Airport|Vancouver]]
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| [[Air China]] | [[Beijing Capital International Airport|Beijing–Capital]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Flynn |first1=David |title=Air China resumes Sydney, Melbourne flights to Beijing |url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/air-china-resumes-sydney-melbourne-flights-to-beijing |publisher=Executive Traveller |access-date=10 January 2023 |date=10 January 2023}}</ref>
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| [[Air India]] | [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]]
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| [[Air New Zealand]] | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Christchurch Airport|Christchurch]], [[Queenstown Airport|Queenstown]], [[Wellington Airport|Wellington]]
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| [[Air Niugini]] | [[Jacksons International Airport|Port Moresby]]
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| [[AirAsia X]] | [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://aeroroutes.com/eng/220609-d7sep22syd|title=AirAsia X Resumes Sydney Service From Sep 2022|publisher=Aeroroutes|access-date=24 Jun 2022}}</ref>
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| [[Aircalin]] | [[La Tontouta International Airport|Nouméa]]
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| [[All Nippon Airways]] | [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo–Haneda]]
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| [[American Airlines]] | [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]]
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| [[Asiana Airlines]] | [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul–Incheon]]
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| [[Batik Air Malaysia]] | [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]], [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Jamie|url=https://aviationsourcenews.com/news/batik-air-to-resume-sydney-services/|title=Batik Air to Resume Sydney Services|work=Aviation Source|access-date=19 November 2022}}</ref>
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| [[Beijing Capital Airlines]] | [[Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport|Qingdao]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Beijing Capital Resumes Qingdao – Sydney Service From late-April 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230410-jdsyd |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref>
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| [[British Airways]] | [[Heathrow Airport|London–Heathrow]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]
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| [[Cathay Pacific]] | [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]
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| [[Cebu Pacific]] | [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport|Manila]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aeroroutes.com/eng/220519-5jjul22syd|title=CEBU PACIFIC MOVES SYDNEY SERVICE RESUMPTION TO JULY 2022|publisher=aeroroutes|access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref>
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| [[China Airlines]] | [[Taoyuan International Airport|Taipei–Taoyuan]]
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| [[China Eastern Airlines]] | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]],<ref name="MU"/> [[Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport|Hangzhou]],<ref name="MU">{{cite web |title=China Eastern Expands Oceania Network in NW23 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230928-munw23aunz |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref> [[Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport|Jinan]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Nelson|first=Jake|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2023/11/china-eastern-adds-first-trans-tasman-route/|title=China Eastern adds first trans-tasman route|website=Australian Aviation|date=7 November 2023|access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref> [[Nanjing Lukou International Airport|Nanjing]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=7月18日起，东航将恢复南京-悉尼远程洲际航线|url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Bb6JjTRmOa93ax55NuyRmDw |access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref> [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221019-munw22|title=China Eastern NW22 International / Regional Operations – 16OCT22|publisher=Aeroroutes|access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref> [[Wuhan Tianhe International Airport|Wuhan]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=东航7月国际及地区航班计划出炉|url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/INbho_pAqG1r9fIlyBrqVA|access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref> [[Xi'an Xianyang International Airport|Xi'an]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=8月2日起，每周三班，东航恢复西安-悉尼国际航线|url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/7EacebK1Gae2bu1wow7QQA |access-date=11 September 2023}}</ref>
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| {{nowrap|[[China Southern Airlines]]}} | [[Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport|Guangzhou]], [[Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport|Shenzhen]]<ref>{{cite web |title=China Southern Resumes Shenzhen – Sydney Service From mid-June 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230522-czjun23szxsyd |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><br />'''Seasonal:''' [[Beijing Daxing International Airport|Beijing–Daxing]]<ref>{{cite web |title=China Southern Schedules Beijing – Australia Seasonal Service in NW24 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241001-cznw24pkxau |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref>
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| [[Delta Air Lines]] | [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]]
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| [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] | [[Christchurch Airport|Christchurch]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Emirates delays returning to Christchurch |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220816-eknw22chc |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Downes|first=Siobhan|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300551781/all-the-international-airlines-and-routes-that-are-coming-back-to-new-zealand|title=All the international airlines and routes that are coming back to New Zealand|work= Stuff|date=5 May 2022}}</ref> [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai–International]]
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| [[Etihad Airways]] | [[Zayed International Airport|Abu Dhabi]]
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| [[Fiji Airways]] | [[Nadi International Airport|Nadi]]
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| [[FlyPelican]] | [[Newcastle Airport, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
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| [[Garuda Indonesia]] | [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]], [[Soekarno–Hatta International Airport|Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta]]
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| [[Hainan Airlines]] | [[Haikou Meilan International Airport|Haikou]], [[Taiyuan Wusu International Airport|Taiyuan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Hainan Airlines Resumes Sydney Service From May 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230419-husyd |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=19 April 2023}}</ref>
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| [[Hawaiian Airlines]] | [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]]
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| [[Hong Kong Airlines]] | [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/hong-kong-airlines-sydney | title=Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights | publisher=Executive Traveller | date=12 February 2025 | accessdate=12 February 2025 | author=Flynn, David}}</ref>
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| [[Japan Airlines]] | [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo–Haneda]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/287906/jal-files-additional-s20-tokyo-haneda-international-routes/ |title=JAL files additional S20 Tokyo Haneda International routes |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204200859/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/287906/jal-files-additional-s20-tokyo-haneda-international-routes/ |archive-date=4 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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| [[Jetstar]] | [[Adelaide Airport|Adelaide]], [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Avalon Airport|Avalon]], [[Ayers Rock Airport|Ayers Rock]], [[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport|Ballina]], [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]], [[Busselton Margaret River Airport|Busselton]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2023/11/jetstar-launches-route-from-sydney-to-margaret-river/|title=Jetstar launches route from Sydney to Margaret River|publisher=Australian Aviation|date=16 November 2024}}</ref> [[Cairns Airport|Cairns]], [[Darwin International Airport|Darwin]], [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]], [[Gold Coast Airport|Gold Coast]], [[Hamilton Airport (New Zealand)|Hamilton]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Jetstar launches trans-Tasman flights from Dunedin, Hamilton |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/350416057/jetstar-launches-trans-tasman-flights-dunedin-hamilton |access-date=16 September 2024 |work=www.stuff.co.nz}}</ref> [[Hamilton Island Airport|Hamilton Island]] (ends 24 October 2025),<ref>{{cite web |title=Qantas / Jetstar Adjusts Hamilton Island / Proserpine Service in 4Q25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250609-qfjqnw25au |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=9 June 2025}}</ref> [[Hervey Bay Airport|Hervey Bay]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brown |first1=Vanessa |title=Jetstar launch new flight route Sydney to Hervey Bay for $59 |url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/jetstar-launch-new-flight-route-sydney-to-hervey-bay-for-59/news-story/b0e2a59c64ccc03b758c1427c4bed485 |work=[[News.com.au]]|location=[[Sydney]] |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |access-date=24 February 2021 |language=en |date=22 February 2021}}</ref> [[Hobart Airport|Hobart]], [[Tan Son Nhat International Airport|Ho Chi Minh City]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/vietnam-just-a-bargain-away-with-jetstar-to-offer-direct-flights/news-story/8a8ad5dd0f32ad4b14db6f2b51382ac8|title=Vietnam Just a bargain away with Jetstar to offer direct flights|website=Stuff|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref> [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]] (ends 24 October 2025),<ref>{{cite web |title=Qantas NW25 Americas Service Changes – 06MAY25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250506-qfnw25int |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=6 May 2025}}</ref> [[Launceston Airport|Launceston]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], [[Nadi International Airport|Nadi]], [[Kansai International Airport|Osaka–Kansai]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/231115-jqns24sydkix|title=Jetstar Resumes Sydney - Osaka Service from April 2024|publisher=AeroRoutes|date=15 November 2023|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> [[Perth Airport|Perth]], [[Phuket International Airport|Phuket]], [[Bauerfield International Airport|Port Vila]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Harada|url=https://karryon.com.au/industry-news/airline/qantas-plans-fly-to-vanuatu/|title=Approved! Qantas plans to fly daily to Vanuatu; Jetstar plans four weekly flights|website=Karryon|date=21 June 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> [[Whitsunday Coast Airport|Proserpine]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/271275/jetstar-adds-sydney-proserpine-route-from-april-2017/|title=Jetstar adds Sydney – Proserpine route from April 2017|author=Jim Liu |date=8 February 2017 |access-date=11 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228000811/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/271275/jetstar-adds-sydney-proserpine-route-from-april-2017/|archive-date=28 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Queenstown Airport|Queenstown]], [[Rarotonga International Airport|Rarotonga]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Jetstar takes over Sydney direct service |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/uncategorised/internal/national/travel/jetstar-takes-over-sydney-direct-service/ |access-date=1 December 2022}}</ref> [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul–Incheon]],<ref name="nationaltribune.com.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/qantas-and-jetstar-expand-sydney-gateway-with-new-direct-flights-to-india-and-korea/|title=Qantas and jetstar expand Sydney gateway with new direct flights to India and Korea|date=8 April 2022|access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref> [[Sunshine Coast Airport|Sunshine Coast]], [[Townsville Airport|Townsville]]
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| [[Juneyao Air]] | [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]]<ref name="China2024">{{cite web |title=JUNEYAO AIRLINES PLANS MELBOURNE / SYDNEY LATE-DEC 2024 LAUNCH |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240818-honw24au |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=19 August 2024}}</ref>
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| [[Korean Air]] | [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul–Incheon]]
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| [[LATAM Chile]] | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]] (ends 25 October 2025),<ref>{{cite web |title=LATAM Chile NW25 Long-Haul Service Changes – 12MAY25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250513-lanw25lh |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref> [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago de Chile]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latamtrade.com/en_au/news/new_route_syd_scl|title=LATAM announces launch date for non-stop Santiago-Sydney service|website=LATAM|access-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127073207/https://www.latamtrade.com/en_au/news/new_route_syd_scl|archive-date=27 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
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| [[Malaysia Airlines]] | [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]
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| [[Philippine Airlines]] | [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport|Manila]]
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| [[Qantas]] | [[Adelaide Airport|Adelaide]], [[Alice Springs Airport|Alice Springs]], [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Ayers Rock Airport|Ayers Rock]],<ref name="QantasDomestic">{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/295933/qantas-adds-seven-routes-increases-widebody-flying/|title=Qantas adds seven routes, increases widebody flying|website=RoutesOnline.com|date=25 May 2021|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref> [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]], [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bengaluru]],<ref>{{cite news|author1=McGuire, Amelia|title=Qantas takes off on historic new route to India|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/qantas-takes-off-on-new-route-to-india-20220914-p5bhv8.html|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|location=[[Sydney]]|publisher=[[Nine Entertainment]]|url-access=subscription|date=14 September 2022|access-date=14 September 2022|language=en}}</ref> [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]], [[Cairns Airport|Cairns]], [[Christchurch Airport|Christchurch]], [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]], [[Darwin International Airport|Darwin]], [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]], [[Gold Coast Airport|Gold Coast]], [[Hamilton Island Airport|Hamilton Island]], [[Hobart Airport|Hobart]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Flynn|first=David|url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-will-restart-hong-kong-flights-in-january-2023|title=Qantas will restart Hong Kong flights in January 2023|publisher=Executive Traveller|date=17 November 2022|access-date=19 November 2022}}</ref> [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]], [[Soekarno–Hatta International Airport|Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta]], [[O. R. Tambo International Airport|Johannesburg–O.R. Tambo]], [[Heathrow Airport|London–Heathrow]], [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport|Manila]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], [[Nadi International Airport|Nadi]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-says-bula-to-fiji-with-direct-flights-from-sydney/|date=21 January 2019|access-date=21 January 2019|title=QANTAS SAYS 'BULA' TO FIJI WITH DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM SYDNEY|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121121818/https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-says-bula-to-fiji-with-direct-flights-from-sydney/|archive-date=21 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York–JFK]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/qantas-to-resume-new-york-city-sydney-flight-6503500|title=Qantas Will Resume Flights From NYC to Sydney After 3-year Pause|last=Fox|first=Alison|magazine=Travel + Leisure|location=New York|publisher=Dotdash Meredith|access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref> [[Norfolk Island Airport|Norfolk Island]], [[La Tontouta International Airport|Nouméa]], [[Fuaʻamotu International Airport|Nuku'alofa]],<ref>{{cite news |author1=Matt Lennon |title=Qantas connects Australia to Tonga with direct flights|work=Executive Traveller|publisher=Business Travel Media|location=Sydney |url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-direct-sydney-tonga-flights |language=en |date=18 August 2022}}</ref> [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris–Charles de Gaulle]],<ref>{{cite press release|title=Qantas Says Bonjour with Direct Flights from Perth to Paris|url=https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-says-bonjour-with-direct-flights-from-perth-to-paris/|website=Qantas News Room|access-date=29 October 2023|date=29 October 2023}}</ref> [[Perth Airport|Perth]], [[Queenstown Airport|Queenstown]], [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Qantas San Francisco changes |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221021-qfns23sfo |access-date=8 January 2023 |publisher=Aeroroutes}}</ref> [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago de Chile]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]], [[Sunshine Coast Airport|Sunshine Coast]], [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo–Haneda]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-flies-back-to-tokyo-on-april-27 | title=Qantas delays restart of flights to Tokyo|last=Ashton|first=Chris|work=Executive Traveller|publisher=Business Travel Media|location=Sydney| date=21 April 2022 }}</ref> [[Vancouver International Airport|Vancouver]], [[Wellington Airport|Wellington]]<br />'''Seasonal:''' [[Broome International Airport|Broome]], [[Canberra Airport|Canberra]], [[Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport|Rome–Fiumicino]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-sydney-perth-rome-flights|title=Qantas to launch non-stop flights to Rome|last=Flynn|first=David|work=Executive Traveller|publisher=Business Travel Media|location=Sydney|access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref> [[New Chitose Airport|Sapporo–Chitose]] (resumes 15 December 2025)<ref>{{cite news |title=Qantas launches direct flights to Sapporo|url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-sydney-sapporo-hokkaido|access-date=20 January 2025|publisher=executivetraveller}}</ref>
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| [[QantasLink]] | [[Albury Airport|Albury]], [[Armidale Airport|Armidale]], [[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport|Ballina]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/288855/qantas-adds-sydney-ballina-service-from-late-march-2020/ |title=Qantas adds Sydney – Ballina service from late-March 2020 &#124; Routes |website=Routesonline.com |date= |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-network-changes/|title=Qantas group network changes|publisher=Qantas|date=19 March 2020|access-date=20 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320043950/https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-network-changes/|archive-date=20 March 2020}}</ref> [[Bendigo Airport (Victoria)|Bendigo]],<ref>{{cite news |title=New Qantas service to fly from Bendigo to Sydney six days a week Local News |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/5801619/new-qantas-service-to-fly-from-bendigo-to-sydney-six-days-a-week/?cs=80|website=Bendigoadvertiser.com.au |access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref> [[Broken Hill Airport|Broken Hill]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/broken-hill-bound-flying-kangaroo-to-launch-new-flights-to-iconic-aussie-outback-town/|title=BROKEN HILL BOUND – FLYING KANGAROO TO LAUNCH NEW FLIGHTS TO ICONIC AUSSIE OUTBACK TOWN|website=Qantasnewsroom.com.au|access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref> [[Canberra Airport|Canberra]], [[Coffs Harbour Airport|Coffs Harbour]], [[Dubbo City Airport|Dubbo]], [[Griffith Airport|Griffith]], [[Hobart Airport|Hobart]], [[Launceston Airport|Launceston]],<ref>{{cite web |title=QantasLink launches Sydney-Launceston flights, brings back Sydney-Hobart |url=https://www.theregionalflyer.com.au/qantaslink-sydney-launceston-hobart-flights/ |website=The Regional Flyer |access-date=27 October 2020 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030213235/https://www.theregionalflyer.com.au/qantaslink-sydney-launceston-hobart-flights/ }}</ref> [[Merimbula Airport|Merimbula]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=Qantas adds Sydney – Merimbula service from late-Dec 2020 |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/294303/qantas-adds-sydney-merimbula-service-from-late-dec-2020/ |website=Routesonline.com |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> [[Mildura Airport|Mildura]],<ref>{{cite news |title=REGIONAL VICTORIA THE WINNER AS QANTASLINK LAUNCHES MORE FLIGHTS |url=https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/regional-victoria-the-winner-as-qantaslink-launches-more-flights/ |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209223541/https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/regional-victoria-the-winner-as-qantaslink-launches-more-flights/ |archive-date=9 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Moree Airport|Moree]], [[Orange Airport|Orange]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2020/02/qantas-spreads-its-wings-to-orange/|title=Qantas spreads its wings to Orange|website=Australianaviation.com.au|date=14 February 2020 |access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref> [[Port Macquarie Airport|Port Macquarie]], [[Tamworth Regional Airport|Tamworth]], [[Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport|Toowoomba]], [[Townsville Airport|Townsville]],<ref name="QantasDomestic"/> [[Wagga Wagga Airport|Wagga Wagga]]<br/>'''Seasonal:''' [[Cooma - Snowy Mountains Airport|Cooma]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Flying Kangaroo Sets Sights On The Snowfields For The Ski Season |url=https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/flying-kangaroo-sets-sights-on-the-snowfields-for-the-ski-season/ |website=Qantas News Room |access-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309002553/https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/flying-kangaroo-sets-sights-on-the-snowfields-for-the-ski-season/ |archive-date=9 March 2021}}</ref>
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| [[Qatar Airways]] | [[Hamad International Airport|Doha]]
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| [[Rex Airlines]] | [[Albury Airport|Albury]], [[Broken Hill Airport|Broken Hill]], [[Coffs Harbour Airport|Coffs Harbour]], [[Dubbo City Airport|Dubbo]], [[Griffith Airport|Griffith]], [[Merimbula Airport|Merimbula]], [[Moruya Airport|Moruya]], [[Narrandera Airport|Narrandera]], [[Orange Airport|Orange]], [[Parkes Airport|Parkes]], [[Port Macquarie Airport|Port Macquarie]], [[Wagga Wagga Airport|Wagga Wagga]]
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| [[Scoot]] | [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]
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| [[Sichuan Airlines]] | [[Chengdu Tianfu International Airport|Chengdu–Tianfu]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Sichuan Airlines Adds Chengdu – Sydney Service From late-Oct 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230822-3unw23syd |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref>
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| [[Singapore Airlines]] | [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]
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| [[Skytrans]] | [[Lord Howe Island Airport|Lord Howe Island]]<ref name=Skytrans>{{cite web|last=Sia|first=Stephen|url=https://arr.news/2024/11/01/nsw-government-media-release-lord-howe-island-air-service/|title=NSW Government Media Release – Lord Howe Island Air Service|website=Australian Rural & Regional News|date=1 November 2024|access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref>
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| [[SriLankan Airlines]] | [[Bandaranaike International Airport|Colombo–Bandaranaike]]<ref>{{cite news |title=SriLankan Airlines August 2020 operations as of 31JUL20 |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/292839/srilankan-airlines-august-2020-operations-as-of-31jul20/ |access-date=17 August 2020 |agency=Routesonline}}</ref>
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| [[T'way Air]] | [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul–Incheon]]<ref>{{cite web |title=T'way Air to open Incheon-Sydney route in December |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20221017000326 |website=[[Korea Herald]]|access-date=17 October 2022 |language=en |date=17 October 2022}}</ref>
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| {{nowrap|[[Thai Airways International]]}} | [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]]
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| [[Tianjin Airlines]] | [[Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport|Chongqing]],<ref>{{Cite web | title = CQ meets Australia: Flights between ChongQing and Sydney to resume in November 渝见澳洲！重庆直飞悉尼11月正式复航 | language = Chinese | date = 14 October 2023 | url = https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/NSAKRsFhFUxjkcblfgYHNw | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231014041839/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/NSAKRsFhFUxjkcblfgYHNw | archive-date = 2023-10-14 | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport|Zhengzhou]]<ref name=GSSYD23>{{Cite web |title=天津航空换季航线超前预告来了，天津=郑州=悉尼国际航线3月24日重新启航 |url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/N6ugnr7Gzm-yXWA0wMlvaA |access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[Turkish Airlines]] | [[Istanbul Airport|Istanbul]], [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241014-tknov24syd|title=Turkish Airlines Begins Sydney Service in late-Nov 2024|last=Liu|first=Jim|date=14 October 2024|website=AeroRoutes}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[United Airlines]] | [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]],<ref name="UA2020">{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=United NS20 Long-Haul operation changes as of 29May20 |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/291528/united-ns20-long-haul-operation-changes-as-of-29may20/ |publisher=Airlineroute |access-date=30 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604192534/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/291528/united-ns20-long-haul-operation-changes-as-of-29may20/ |archive-date=4 June 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]]<br />'''Seasonal:''' [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–Intercontinental]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230116-uasyd|title=United Removes Houston - Sydney Schedule in NS23|publisher=AeroRoutes|date=16 January 2023|access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[VietJet Air]] | [[Noi Bai International Airport|Hanoi]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240317-vjns24syd|title=VietJet Air Schedules June 2024 Hanoi – Sydney Launch|publisher=AeroRoutes|access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref> [[Tan Son Nhat International Airport|Ho Chi Minh City]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Vietjet opens HCM City - Sydney route|url=https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietjet-opens-hcm-city-sydney-route/248316.amp|work=Vietnam+|date=14 February 2023|access-date=20 February 2023|language=en}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[Vietnam Airlines]] | [[Noi Bai International Airport|Hanoi]], [[Tan Son Nhat International Airport|Ho Chi Minh City]]
<!-- -->
| [[Virgin Australia]] | [[Adelaide Airport|Adelaide]], [[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport|Ballina]], [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]], [[Cairns Airport|Cairns]], [[Canberra Airport|Canberra]], [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]], [[Hamad International Airport|Doha]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Virgin Australia Begins Doha Service From June 2025|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241212-vajun25doh}}</ref> [[Gold Coast Airport|Gold Coast]], [[Hamilton Island Airport|Hamilton Island]], [[Hobart Airport|Hobart]], [[Launceston Airport|Launceston]],  [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], [[Nadi International Airport|Nadi]], [[Perth Airport|Perth]], [[Queenstown Airport|Queenstown]], [[Sunshine Coast Airport|Sunshine Coast]]
<!-- -->
| [[XiamenAir]] | [[Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport|Xiamen]]
<!-- -->
}}

[[Qantas]] also operates dedicated "flightseeing" services over [[Antarctica]] from Sydney. These flights, using a [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]], depart Sydney from Terminal 3, and provide a guided aerial tour of Antarctica before returning to Australia. These flights are about thirteen hours in total.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Qantas Antarctic Sightseeing Flights|url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/qantas-antarctic-sightseeing-flights/amp|website=Aerotime}}</ref>

===Cargo===
{{Airport destination list
<!-- -->
| [[Airwork]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lowe |first1=Steve |title=New Trans-Tasman Air Freight Service |url=http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2020/01/new-trans-tasman-air-freight-service.html |website=3rd Level NZ |date=30 January 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205220110/http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.com/2020/01/new-trans-tasman-air-freight-service.html |archive-date=5 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Christchurch Airport|Christchurch]]
<!-- -->
| [[Atlas Air]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Atlas Air Schedule|url=https://jumpseat.atlasair.com/travel/schedule.asp|website=[[Atlas Air]]}}</ref> | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Avalon Airport|Avalon]], [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]], [[Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport|Chongqing]], [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]]
<!-- -->
| [[Cathay Cargo]]<ref>[https://www.cathaypacificcargo.com/en-us/manageyourshipment/checkflightschedule.aspx cathaypacificcargo.com - Check Flight Schedule] retrieved 17 December 2022</ref> | [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]]
<!-- -->
| [[DHL Aviation]] | [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]], [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]
<!-- -->
| [[Emirates SkyCargo]]<ref>[https://www.skycargo.com/network/air/ skycargo.com - Network] retrieved 17 December 2022</ref> | [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]
<!-- -->
| [[FedEx Express]]<ref>{{cite web |title=FedEx Express Launches Sydney-Singapore Flight To Support Australian Business Growth |url=https://about.van.fedex.com/newsroom/fedex-express-launches-sydney-singapore-flight-to-support-australian-business-growth/ |website=FedEx |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106132308/https://about.van.fedex.com/newsroom/fedex-express-launches-sydney-singapore-flight-to-support-australian-business-growth/ |archive-date=6 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | [[Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport|Guangzhou]], [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]
<!-- -->
| [[MASkargo]]<ref>[https://www.maskargo.com/fleet-network maskargo.com - Fleet & Network] retrieved 17 December 2022</ref> | [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur–International]]
<!-- -->
| [[Qantas Freight]]<ref>[https://freight.qantas.com/freight-planning/flight-schedule.html freight.qantas.com - Freighter schedule] retrieved 17 December 2022</ref> | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]], [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]], [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]], [[Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport|Chongqing]], [[Christchurch International Airport|Christchurch]], [[Gold Coast Airport|Gold Coast]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]], [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]], [[Soekarno Hatta International Airport|Jakarta–Soekarno–Hatta]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]]
<!-- -->
| {{nowrap|[[Singapore Airlines Cargo]]<ref>[https://www.siacargo.com/network.asp siacargo.com - Network] retrieved 17 December 2022</ref>}} | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]
<!-- -->
| [[Tasman Cargo Airlines]] | [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]] 
<!-- -->
| [[Team Global Express]]<ref>[https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/scott-morrison-emerges-to-fight-early-morning-sydney-airport-noise-20231114-p5ejw9 Scott Morrison emerges to fight early morning Sydney Airport noise] ''[[Australian Financial Review]]'' 15 November 2023</ref> | [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]]
<!-- -->
| [[UPS Airlines]]<ref>[https://www.aircargo.ups.com/en-us/airports aircargo.ups.com - Airports] retrieved 17 December 2022</ref> | [[Daniel K. Inouye International Airport|Honolulu]], [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul–Incheon]], [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Shanghai–Pudong]], [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]
<!-- -->
}}

==Traffic and statistics==
=== Total ===
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=SYD}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Annual passenger statistics for Sydney Airport<ref name="calyrstats">{{cite web|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/webairport_cy_1985-2022.xlsx|title=Airport Traffic Data 1985 to 2022|access-date=26 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="sydstats">{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/media/corporate-newsroom/sydney-airport-annual-traffic-performance-q4-2024|title=Sydney Airport Annual Traffic Performance Q4 2024|access-date=23 February 2025}}</ref>
! Year !! Domestic !! International !! Total !! Change
|-
| 1998
| 14,275,077 || 6,933,551 || 21,208,628 || {{increase}} 1.4%
|-
| 1999
| 14,877,901 || 7,388,153 || 22,266,054 || {{increase}} 5.0%
|-
| 2000
| 16,240,310 || 8,237,223 || 24,477,533 || {{increase}} 9.9%
|-
| 2001
| 16,563,296 || 8,228,973 || 24,792,269 || {{increase}} 1.3%
|-
| 2002
| 15,187,908 || 8,006,775 || 23,194,683 || {{decrease}} -6.4%
|-
| 2003
| 16,548,322 || 7,929,841 || 24,478,163 || {{increase}} 5.5%
|-
| 2004
| 18,246,249 || 8,951,825 || 27,198,074 || {{increase}} 11.1%
|-
| 2005
| 18,940,167 || 9,515,983 || 28,456,150 || {{increase}} 4.6%
|-
| 2006
| 20,119,000 || 9,865,970 || 29,984,970 || {{increase}} 5.4%
|-
| 2007
| 21,469,055 || 10,378,240 || 31,847,295 || {{increase}} 6.2%
|-
| 2008
| 22,345,905 || 10,552,900 || 32,898,805 || {{increase}} 3.3%
|-
| 2009
| 22,362,772 || 10,635,270 || 32,998,042 || {{increase}} 0.3%
|-
| 2010
| 24,194,804 || 11,455,537 || 35,650,341 || {{increase}} 8.0%
|-
| 2011
| 23,925,351 || 11,748,582 || 35,673,933 || {{increase}} 0.1%
|-
| 2012
| 24,638,877 || 12,369,193 || 37,008,070 || {{increase}} 3.7%
|-
| 2013
| 25,216,661 || 12,933,885 || 38,150,546 || {{increase}} 3.1%
|-
| 2014
| 25,417,107 || 13,315,835 || 38,732,942 || {{increase}} 1.5%
|-
| 2015
| 25,897,619 || 13,911,228 || 39,808,847 || {{increase}} 2.8%
|-
| 2016
| 26,905,944 || 15,111,977 || 42,017,921 || {{increase}} 5.5%
|-
| 2017
| 27,291,874 || 16,038,186 || 43,330,060 || {{increase}} 3.1%
|-
| 2018
| 27,667,273 || 16,762,485 || 44,429,758 || {{increase}} 2.5%
|-
| 2019
| 27,538,404 || 16,890,441 || 44,428,845 || {{decrease}} 0.0%
|-
| 2020
| 7,444,780 || 3,782,912 || 11,227,692 || {{decrease}} -74.7%
|-
| 2021
| 7,171,759 || 729,529 || 7,901,288 || {{decrease}} -29.6%
|-
| 2022
| 20,872,921 || 8,110,953 || 28,983,874 || {{increase}} 266.8%
|-
|2023
| 24,110,000 || 14,540,000 ||38,650,000 || {{increase}} 33.5%
|-
|2024
| 25,090,000 || 16,300,000 ||41,390,000 || {{increase}} 7.1%
|}

===Domestic===
Sydney Airport handled over 24.1 million domestic passengers in the year ending 31 December 2023, a significant increase from 2021 levels, largely due to the aviation downturn from COVID-19.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Domestic aviation activity |url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Domestic-Aviation-Activity-publication-December2023.pdf |access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" width= align=
|+Busiest domestic routes (year ending 31 December 2023)
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Rank|| Airport || Passengers handled (000s)  || % Change || Airlines
|-
| 1 || [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]] || 8,202.4 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|24.8%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[Rex Airlines]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 2 || [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]] ||  4,579.5  || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|27.4%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Link Airways]], [[Qantas]], [[Rex Airlines]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 3 || [[Gold Coast Airport|Gold Coast]] || 2,649.8 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|15.3%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[QantasLink]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 4 || [[Adelaide Airport|Adelaide]] || 1,879.7 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|33.3%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[Rex Airlines]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 5 || [[Perth Airport|Perth]] || 1,721.8 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|53.9%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 6 || [[Cairns Airport|Cairns]] || 959.7  || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|16.7%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 7 || [[Sunshine Coast Airport|Sunshine Coast]] ||  821.6  || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|20.0%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[QantasLink]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 8 || [[Hobart Airport|Hobart]] || 801.4 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|23.3%}}||[[Qantas]], [[QantasLink]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 9 || [[Canberra Airport|Canberra]] ||  645.7 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|20.3%}}||[[Qantas]], [[QantasLink]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 10 || [[Ballina Airport|Ballina]] || 581.7 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|15.3%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[QantasLink]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 11 || [[Launceston Airport|Launceston]] ||  361.1 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|31.4%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 12 || [[Hamilton Island Airport|Hamilton Island]] || 267.9 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|14.8%}}||[[Jetstar]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
| 13 || [[Coffs Harbour Airport|Coffs Harbour]] || 232.2  || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|11.2%}}||[[QantasLink]], [[Rex Airlines]]
|-
| 14 || [[Dubbo Airport|Dubbo]] || 190.1 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|29.0%}}||[[QantasLink]], [[Rex Airlines]]
|-
| 15 || [[Port Macquarie Airport|Port Macquarie]]|| 180.1 || {{increase}} {{Sort|04|26.1%}}||[[QantasLink]], [[Rex Airlines]]
|}

=== International ===
[[File:Sydney Airport destinations.svg|thumb|International destinations from Sydney Airport]]
Sydney Airport handled 14.6 million international passengers in the year ending 31 December 2023.<ref name=":2" />
{| class="wikitable sortable" width= align=
|+Busiest international routes (year ending 31 December 2024)<ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=14 March 2025 |title=International Airline Activity—Time Series|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/international-airline-activity-city-pairs-2009-to-current-1224--xlsx.xlsx |access-date=5 April 2025 |publisher=bitre.gov.au}}</ref>
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Rank|| Airport || Passengers handled ||% change || Airlines
|-
|1|| [[Changi Airport|Singapore]]|| align="right" |1,680,246||{{Increase}}1.8||[[British Airways]], [[Qantas]], [[Scoot]], [[Singapore Airlines]]
|-
|2|| [[Auckland Airport|Auckland]]|| align="right" |1,353,906||{{increase}}3.9||[[Air New Zealand]], [[China Eastern Airlines]], [[Jetstar]], [[LATAM Chile]], [[Qantas]]
|-
|3|| [[Ngurah Rai International Airport|Denpasar]]|| align="right" |867,193||{{Increase}}25.1||[[Batik Air Malaysia]], [[Garuda Indonesia]], [[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
|4|| [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 854,460|||{{increase}}27.3||[[Cathay Pacific]], [[Qantas]]
|-
|5|| [[Dubai International Airport|Dubai]]|| align="right" |810,421||{{Increase}}6.8||[[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]]
|-
|6|| [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]]|| align="right" |803,449||{{increase}}5.2||[[American Airlines]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[United Airlines]], [[Qantas]]
|-
|7|| [[Tokyo]]|| align="right" |736,782 ||{{Increase}}38.9||[[All Nippon Airways]], [[Japan Airlines]], [[Qantas]]
|-
|8|| [[Seoul Incheon International Airport|Seoul]]|| align="right" | 733,995||{{increase}}5.4||[[Asiana Airlines]], [[Jetstar]], [[Korean Air]], [[Qantas]], [[T'way Air]]
|-
|9|| [[Nadi International Airport|Nadi]]|| align="right"|590,342||{{increase}}1.8||[[Fiji Airways]], [[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
|10|| [[Suvarnabhumi International Airport|Bangkok]]|| style="text-align:right;" |548,708||{{increase}}18.0||[[Qantas]], [[Thai AirAsia X]], [[Thai Airways International]]	
|-
|11|| [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport|Kuala Lumpur]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 515,855||{{decrease}}2.6||[[AirAsia X]], [[Batik Air Malaysia]], [[Malaysia Airlines]]
|-
|12|| [[Manila International Airport|Manila]]|| style="text-align:right;" | 442,793||{{increase}}1.7||[[Cebu Pacific]], [[Philippine Airlines]], [[Qantas]]
|-
|13|| [[Queenstown International Airport|Queenstown]]|| align="right" |423,115||{{Increase}}12.2||[[Air New Zealand]], [[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]], [[Virgin Australia]]
|-
|14|| [[Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport|Guangzhou]]|| align="right" |414,049||{{Increase}}33.0||[[China Southern Airlines]]
|-
|15|| [[Christchurch International Airport|Christchurch ]]|| align="right" |411,528||{{increase}}19.6||[[Air New Zealand]], [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]], [[Jetstar]], [[Qantas]]
|}

=== Freight ===
{{Update section|date=September 2024}}
In 2019, Sydney Airport handled 521,014 tonnes of international air freight and 23,260 tonnes of international air mail.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Airport Traffic Data 1985 to 2019|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/airport_traffic_data|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802181707/https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/airport_traffic_data|archive-date=2 August 2020|access-date=21 July 2020|website=Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics}}</ref>

==Ground transport==
===Road===
[[File:Sydney Airport Domestic Access Road.jpg|thumb|Road entrance towards Terminals 2 and 3]]
[[File:General Holmes Drive, Sydney Airport.jpg|thumb|View of the [[General Holmes Drive]] underpass]]
Sydney Airport has road connections in all directions. [[Southern Cross Drive]] (M1), a motorway, is the fastest toll-free link to the city centre. The [[M5 South Western Motorway]] (including the M5 East Freeway) links the airport with the south-western suburbs of Sydney. A ring road runs around the airport consisting of Airport Drive, Qantas Drive, [[General Holmes Drive]], M5 East Freeway and Marsh Street. General Holmes Drive features a tunnel under the main north–south runway and three taxiways as well as providing access to an aircraft viewing area. Inside the airport a part-ring road&nbsp;– Ross Smith Avenue (named after [[Ross MacPherson Smith]])&nbsp;– connects the Domestic Terminal with the control tower, the [[general aviation]] area, car-rental company storage yards, long-term car park, [[heliport]], various retail operations and a hotel. A perimeter road runs inside the secured area for authorised vehicles only.

Since 2024, [[Sydney Gateway]], a major road interchange now connects between the [[WestConnex]] [[M8 Motorway (Sydney)|M8 Motorway]] and Sydney Airport's terminals. The project provides a motorway-grade road directly from the terminals to Sydney's CBD, [[Parramatta]] and the south-western suburbs.<ref name=July2019>{{cite web|url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/a-step-forward-for-sydney-gateway|title=A step forward for Sydney Gateway|publisher=Transport for NSW|date=14 July 2019|access-date=15 July 2019}}</ref> Construction began in 2021 and was completed in mid 2024.<ref name=smh_nov2020>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/timeline-blowout-for-sydney-s-multibillion-dollar-gateway-road-project-20201102-p56aut.html|title=Timeline blowout for Sydney's multibillion-dollar Gateway road project|last=Rabe|first=Tom|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|location=[[Sydney]]|publisher=[[Nine Entertainment]]|date=2 November 2020|access-date=3 November 2020}}</ref>

The airport runs several official car parks—Domestic Short Term, Domestic Remote Long Term, and International Short/Long Term.<ref>{{cite web| title =Sydney Airport Carparks|location=Sydney| publisher =Sydney Airport Corporation Limited| date =17 December 2010| url =https://parking.sydneyairport.com.au/| access-date =17 December 2010| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110226171223/https://parking.sydneyairport.com.au/| archive-date =26 February 2011| df =dmy-all}}</ref>

The International Terminal is located beside a wide pedestrian and bicycle path. It links [[Mascot, New South Wales|Mascot]] and Sydney City in the north-east with [[Tempe, New South Wales|Tempe]] (via a foot bridge over [[Alexandra Canal (New South Wales)|Alexandra Canal]]) and [[Botany Bay]] to the south-west. All terminals offer bicycle racks and are also easily accessible by foot from nearby areas.

===Public transport===
====Rail====
[[File:Domesticairportstation123.jpg|thumb|[[Domestic Airport railway station, Sydney|Domestic Airport station]] on the [[Sydney Trains]] [[Airport & South Line]]]]
The airport is accessible via [[Sydney Trains]] [[Airport & South Line|T8 Airport & South Line]], providing regular service to the Sydney CBD and the southwestern suburbs, using the [[Airport Link, Sydney|Airport Link]] underground rail line since 2000. The [[International Airport railway station, Sydney|International Airport station]] is located below the International terminal, while the [[Domestic Airport railway station, Sydney|Domestic Airport station]] is located under the car park between the domestic terminals (Terminal 2 and Terminal 3). While the stations are part of the Sydney Trains suburban network, they are privately owned and operated by the [[Airport Link Company]] and their use is subject to a [[Opal card#Fares|surcharge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airportlink.com.au/|title=Sydney Airport Link|publisher=[[Airport Link Company]]|access-date=6 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027052417/http://www.airportlink.com.au/|archive-date=27 October 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityrail.info/travelling_with/places_to_go/sydney_airport|title=Sydney Airport|publisher=[[RailCorp]]|access-date=6 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323082234/http://www.cityrail.info/travelling_with/places_to_go/sydney_airport|archive-date=23 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The trains that service the airport are regular suburban trains. Unlike airport trains at some other airports, these do not have special provisions for customers with luggage, do not operate express to the airport, and may have all seats occupied by commuters before the trains arrive at the airport.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

The airport station surcharge may be avoided by passengers alighting at nearby stations and walking to either the International Terminal (from [[Wolli Creek railway station|Wolli Creek station]], about 1.6&nbsp;km)<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney International Airport By Foot - A Walk In The Park|url=https://www.pointsbrotherhood.com/sydney-international-airport-by-foot-a-walk-in-the-park/|date=2019-09-07|website=Points Brotherhood|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref> or the Domestic Terminal (from [[Mascot station]], about 1.8&nbsp;km).<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney Domestic Airport By Foot... A Step-By-Step Guide|url=https://www.pointsbrotherhood.com/how-to-get-to-sydney-domestic-airport-by-foot-a-step-by-step-guide/|date=2019-08-24|website=Points Brotherhood|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref>

====Bus====
[[Transdev John Holland]] operates route 350 from the domestic terminal to [[Bondi Junction railway station]] while [[Transit Systems NSW|Transit Systems]] operates route 420 from [[Mascot railway station]] to [[Westfield Burwood]] via both International and Domestic terminals, as well as [[Banksia railway station|Banksia]] and [[Rockdale railway station|Rockdale]] railway stations.<ref>[https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/31-350-Sydney-Airport-Domestic-to-Bondi-Junction-20211205.pdf Route 350 timetable] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204025759/https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/31-350-Sydney-Airport-Domestic-to-Bondi-Junction-20211205.pdf |date=4 December 2021 }} [[Transport for NSW]]</ref><ref>[https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/74-420-Mascot-Station-to-Burwood-20211205.pdf Route 420 timetable] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204030853/https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/74-420-Mascot-Station-to-Burwood-20211205.pdf |date=4 December 2021 }} Transport for NSW</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
* On 10 September 1920, Arthur Herbert Tattle of [[Wellington]], New Zealand, was killed on the runway at Mascot when he was struck on the crown of his head by a plane taking off. He had come to see two friends take off on the plane and was standing on the runway in the flight path with a camera looking down at the [[viewfinder]] when he failed to notice the speed of the fast approaching plane, its height or the shouted warning from the pilot. He was driven to South Sydney Hospital where he died soon after from "a concussion of the brain".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15906398|title=AIRPLANE ACCIDENT.|work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=11 September 1920|via=Trove}}</ref> An inquiry into the incident returned a finding of "accidental death" and was reported to be the first inquest in New South Wales resulting from an aeroplane accident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242312107|title=Struck by an Aeroplane|work=Herald |date=15 September 1920|via=Trove}}</ref>
* On 19 July 1945 a [[Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express]] operated by the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) bound for [[Manus Island]] failed to gain altitude after taking off from Sydney's now non-existent runway 22, struck trees and crashed into Muddy Creek, north of [[Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales|Brighton-Le-Sands]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Pearcy|first=Arthur|title=Lend lease aircraft in World War II|year=1996|publisher=Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers|location=United States|isbn=978-0-7603-0259-0|page=105|edition=1. publ.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Livingstone|first=Bob|title=Under the Southern Cross: the B-24 Liberator in the South Pacific|year=1998|publisher=Turner Publishing Company|location=Paducah, KY|isbn=978-1-56311-432-8|page=122|edition=Limited}}</ref> The aircraft exploded on impact, killing all 12 passengers and crew on board. All the victims were service personnel, five from the RAF, one from the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] and six from the [[Royal Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nsw173.htm|title=Crash of a C-87 Liberator Express 1 mile west of Mascot Airfield on 19 July 1945|access-date=24 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421021100/http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nsw173.htm|archive-date=21 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Hobbins, Peter, "Tragedy at Mascot; Sydney's forgotten aviation disaster," ''History'' (Magazine of the Royal Australian Historical Society), September 2019, No.141, pp.18-21</ref>
* On 18 June 1950, a [[Douglas DC-3]] of [[Ansett Australia|Ansett Airways]] taxiing for take-off from runway 22 for a night-time passenger flight to Brisbane, hit and partially derailed a coal train travelling on the railway line that crossed the runway. Only the co-pilot was injured.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Job |first1= Macarthur |title=Air Crash, Volume 2 |year=1992 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston Creek, ACT |isbn=1-875671-01-3 |page=153}}</ref>
* On 30 November 1961, [[Ansett-ANA Flight 325]], a [[Vickers Viscount]], crashed into Botany Bay shortly after take-off. The starboard (right) wing failed after the aircraft flew into a thunderstorm. All 15 people on board were killed.<ref name=ASN301161>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19611130-1 |title=Accident description: VH-TVC, 30 November 1961 |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |website=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=2 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203150141/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19611130-1 |archive-date=3 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 1 December 1969, a [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-320B]] of [[Pan Am]] registered N892PA and operating as Flight 812 overran the runway during take-off due to [[bird strike]]s. The accident investigation established that the aircraft struck a flock of seagulls, with a minimum of 11 individual bird strikes to the leading edges of the wings and engines 1, 2, and 3 (the two engines on the left wing and the inboard engine on the right wing). In particular, blade 14 of number 2 engine (the inboard engine on the left wing) was damaged by a single bird carcass and lost power before the decision to abandon the take-off (which occurred at or near [[V speeds#V1 definitions|V<sub>1</sub>]] or takeoff decision speed). The aircraft came to rest {{convert|560|ft|abbr=on}} beyond the end of runway 16 (now runway 16R).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.aussieairliners.org/scrapbook/n892pa/n892pa.html | title=N892PA Boeing 707-321B | access-date=13 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213143020/http://www.aussieairliners.org/scrapbook/n892pa/n892pa.html | archive-date=13 December 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref> During the crash, number 2 engine hit the ground and was damaged. The nose and left main landing gears failed and the aircraft came to rest supported by engines 1 and 2, the nose, and the remainder of the main landing gear. There were no injuries or fatalities amongst the 125 passengers and 11 crew. The accident investigation concluded that the overrun was not inevitable. The aircraft was [[Omega Aerial Refueling Services Flight 70|destroyed in a 2011 accident]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Accident Investigation Report&nbsp;– Boeing 707-321B Aircraft N892PA at Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport, on 1st&nbsp;December 1969 |author=Air Safety Investigation Branch |author-link=Australian Transport Safety Bureau |year=1970 |publisher=[[Department of Civil Aviation (Australia)|Department of Civil Aviation]], Australia |url=http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24225/196901184.pdf |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318205636/http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24225/196901184.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 22 February 1970, a teenage boy from [[Randwick]] climbed into the wheel well of a [[Douglas DC-8]] of [[Japan Airlines|Japan Air Lines]] operating as Flight 772. As the plane was taking off bound for Tokyo, he fell to his death with a photographer accidentally capturing the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/heartbreaking-story-behind-49-year-old-photograph-034315026.html|title=The heartbreaking story behind photo of boy falling from plane above Sydney|website=[[Yahoo! News]]|access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=MDQ-9Oe3GGUC&dat=19700223&printsec=frontpage&hl=en "Death dive from Sydney airliner"], ''The Age'' (Melbourne), 23 February 1970, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1970/aair/aair197001258|title=DC8-62 Aircraft JA-8031, Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, on 22 February 1970}}</ref>
* On 29 January 1971, a [[Boeing 727]] of [[Trans Australia Airlines]] (registered VH-TJA) and taking off as Flight 592, struck the tail of a taxiing [[Douglas DC-8]] of [[Canadian Pacific Air Lines]] (registered CF-CPQ) that had just landed as Flight 301. The DC-8 crew misinterpreted instructions on which exit to use after landing and backtracked along the runway instead of turning off it onto a taxiway; and the tower controller cleared the 727 for take-off in the mistaken belief that the runway was clear. The 727 crew saw the DC-8 during the take-off roll then proceeded with the take-off rather than take evasive measures. The 727 was damaged in the inboard right wing and the fuselage and lost pressure in one of its hydraulic systems but managed to return and land safely; a building on the ground was struck by parts of the 727's starboard landing gear doors that fell off as it approached to land. The upper eight-and-a-half feet (about 2.6m) of the DC-8's tail fin and a corresponding proportion of the rudder were torn off.<ref>{{cite web |author=Air Safety Investigation Branch |url=http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24753/197101202.pdf |work=Accident Investigation Report |title=Canadian Pacific Airlines DC8-63 aircraft CF-CPQ and Trans-Australia Airlines Boeing 727 aircraft VH-TJA at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport New South Wales on 29 January, 1971 |date=August 1971 |publisher=Department of Civil Aviation |access-date=22 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214133948/https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24753/197101202.pdf |archive-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 4 April 1979, a hijacker attempted to take over a [[Boeing 747SP]] of [[Pan Am]] registered as N530PA and operating as Flight 816 parked at the airport. He managed to get past the immigration and security screening. He then grabbed a female hostage and made some demands. Police were able to fatally shoot him; he later died of his injuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19790404-1|title = ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747SP-21 N530PA Sydney-Kingsford Smith Airport, NSW (SYD)|website=Aviation-safety.net}}</ref>
* On 21 February 1980, a [[Beechcraft Super King Air]] registered VH-AAV and operating [[Advance Airlines Flight 4210]] took off from Sydney Airport and suffered an engine failure. The pilot flew the aircraft back to the airport and attempted to land but crashed into the sea wall surrounding runway 16/34 (now 16R/34L). All 13 people on board died in the accident.<ref>"13 die in Sydney crash," ''Sydney Morning Herald'', 22 February 1980, p.1: Air Safety Investigation Branch, ''Advance Airlines of Australia Beech Super King Air 200 VH-AAV Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, New South Wales 21 February 1980'', Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1981</ref>
* On 12 April 1989, a [[British Airways]] [[Concorde]] operating a charter from [[Christchurch]] to Sydney experienced vibrations near the top of climb while flying [[supersonic]]. The crew continued to Sydney believing they had experienced an engine surge. On landing, it was discovered that parts of the rudder had disintegrated in flight. The UK [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] investigated the incident and found it was a result of poor maintenance practices weakening the structure
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5423017ded915d1371000b3d/6-1989_G-BOAF.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiMqvSv5_KLAxXde2wGHefrNVYQFnoECDQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3lhICuL75aGciDorTpowIg|title=Report No: 6/1989. Report on the accident to Concorde 102, G-BOAF, over the Tasman Sea, about 140nm east of Sydney, Australia on 12 April 1989 |date=16 November 1989 |publisher=[[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]]}}</ref>
* On 24 April 1994, a Douglas DC-3 registered VH-EDC of [[South Pacific Airmotive]] had an engine malfunction shortly after take-off on a charter flight to [[Norfolk Island]]. The engine was feathered but airspeed decayed and it was found to be impossible to maintain height. A [[1994 South Pacific Airmotive DC-3 crash|successful ditching]] was carried out into Botany Bay. All four crew and 21 passengers - pupils and teachers of [[Scots College (Sydney)|Scots College]] and journalists, travelling to participate in [[Anzac Day]] commemorations on Norfolk Island - safely evacuated the aircraft. The investigation revealed that the aircraft was overloaded and the propeller was not fully feathered.<ref name=ASN240494>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19940424-0 |title=Accident description:VH-EDC 24 April 1994 |website=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=2 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501221656/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19940424-0 |archive-date=1 May 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=atsb-vh-edc>{{cite book |author1=[[Bureau of Air Safety Investigation]] (BASI) |title=Investigation Report, No. 9401043, Douglas Aircraft Co Inc DC3C-S1C3G, VH-EDC, Botany Bay, NSW, 24 April 1994 |date=5 March 1996 |publisher=[[Department of Transport (1993–96)|Department of Transport]] (Australia) |isbn=0-642-24566-5 |url=http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1994/aair/aair199401043.aspx |access-date=24 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225132321/http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1994/aair/aair199401043.aspx |archive-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pavlich |first=Chris |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/my-own-brush-with-death/news-story/7ef31ca6d1750c671a0e9d50db319b74?sv=b87c52306643bebf1fd346af72f58bbc |title=My own brush with death |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 January 2009 |access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>
* On 19 October 1994, [[Ansett Australia]] Flight 881, a Boeing 747-300 registered VH-INH operating from Sydney to Osaka, returned and landed at Sydney without the nose wheel extended. Approximately one hour after departure the crew shut down the number one engine because of an oil leak. They returned the aircraft to Sydney where the approach proceeded normally until the landing gear was extended. The landing gear warning horn began to sound because the nose landing gear had not extended. The flight crew unsuccessfully attempted to establish the reason for the warning. Believing the gear to be down, the crew elected to complete the landing, with the result that the aircraft was landed with the nose gear retracted. There was no fire and the pilot in command decided not to initiate an emergency evacuation. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19941019-0|title=Aircraft accident Boeing 747-312 VH-INH Sydney-Kingsford Smith Airport, NS (SYD)|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114034428/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19941019-0|archive-date=14 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

*On 14 August 2023, a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 operating Flight MH122 from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was forced to return to Sydney. An extremist onboard the plane was shouting at crew and passengers and also made threats. After landing the plane parked on one of the runways of Sydney airport, thereby blocking traffic. Police later boarded the plane and arrested the man.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doherty |first=Ben |date=2023-08-15 |title=Sydney airport emergency: man accused of making bomb threat on flight refuses to leave police cell to face court |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/15/sydney-airport-bomb-threat-muhammad-arif-charged-jailed |access-date=2023-08-21 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Runway Operations Halted as AFP Reacts to Sydney Airport Situation |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_EEagn-5wA |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Man arrested following Airport emergency {{!}} 7NEWS | date=14 August 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1uh-ftAG5A |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en}}</ref>

*On 8 November 2024, a [[Boeing 737-800]] operating Qantas Airways Flight 520 to Brisbane suffered an engine failure during take-off.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/passengers-recount-disturbing-experience-after-engine-fails-on-qantas-plane-leaving-sydney/4upgu2fv9 | title=Passengers recount 'disturbing' experience after engine fails on Qantas plane leaving Sydney | publisher=[[SBS News]] | date=8 November 2024 | accessdate=11 November 2024 | author=Aidone, David}}</ref> Immediately following the incident, a large grass fire ignited adjacent to runway 34R, believed to be a result of components ejected from the engine. This triggered an emergency response, disrupting multiple flights. The aircraft returned and landed on runway 34L and taxied to the gate after being inspected by fire services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2024/report/ao-2024-057|title=Engine failure or malfunction involving Boeing 737, VH-VYH, at Sydney Airport, New South Wales, on 8 November 2024|website=[[Australian Transport Safety Board]]|accessdate=8 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-12/sydney-airport-firefighters-qantas-flight-metal-pieces-debris/104584540|title=Firefighters locate metal pieces at Sydney Airport near site of Qantas flight engine failure and grassfire|author=Joshua Boscaini|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=12 November 2024}}</ref> As of March 2025, the incident remained under investigation by the [[Australian Transport Safety Bureau]].

==Second Sydney airport==
{{Main|Western Sydney International Airport}}

The local, state and federal governments have investigated the viability of building a second major airport in Sydney since the 1940s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/chron/2003-04/04chr02.htm |title=Second Sydney Airport&nbsp;– A Chronology |website=Aph.gov.au |access-date=23 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202161507/http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/chron/2003-04/04chr02.htm |archive-date=2 December 2008 }}</ref> Significant passenger growth at Sydney Airport indicates the potential need for a second airport – for example, total passenger numbers increased from less than 10 million in 1985–86 to over 25 million in 2000–01 and over 40 million in 2015–16.<ref name=":0" /> This growth is expected to continue, with Sydney region passenger demand forecast to reach 87&nbsp;million passengers by 2035.<ref name="smh 20120302">{{cite news| agency = AAP| url = http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/no-airport-cap-or-curfew-change-albanese-20120302-1u6et.html| title = No airport cap or curfew change: Albanese| publisher = news.smh.com.au| work = Sydney Morning Herald| date = 2 March 2012| access-date = 4 March 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023053442/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/no-airport-cap-or-curfew-change-albanese-20120302-1u6et.html| archive-date = 23 October 2013| url-status = live}}</ref>

On 15 April 2014, the Federal Government announced that Badgerys Creek would be Sydney's second international airport, to be known as [[Western Sydney Airport]].<ref name="WT056">{{cite web|last=Truss|first=Warren|title=Western Sydney Airport to Deliver Jobs and Infrastructure|url=http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2014/April/wt056_2014.aspx|work=Media Release|publisher=Ministry for Inreastructure and Regional Development|access-date=15 April 2014|author2=Tony Abott|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416210638/http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2014/April/wt056_2014.aspx|archive-date=16 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Press releases suggest that the airport will not be subject to [[night flying restrictions|curfews]] and will open in phases, initially with a single airport runway and terminal.<ref name="BT1">{{cite news|last=O'Sullivan|first=Matt|title=Sydney Airport looks west|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/sydney-airport-looks-west-20140415-36psr.html|access-date=16 April 2014|newspaper=Brisbane Times|date=16 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417133258/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/sydney-airport-looks-west-20140415-36psr.html|archive-date=17 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It would be linked to Sydney Airport by local roads and motorways, and by extensions to the existing [[Sydney Trains|suburban rail network]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Saulwick|first=Jacob|title=Federal government plans for airport rail line but will not build it|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/federal-government-plans-for-airport-rail-line-but-will-not-build-it-20140416-zqvkk.html|access-date=16 April 2014|newspaper=Brisbane Times|date=16 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427131440/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/federal-government-plans-for-airport-rail-line-but-will-not-build-it-20140416-zqvkk.html|archive-date=27 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2017 the Federal Government announced it would build (pay for) the second Sydney Airport after the [[Sydney Airport Holdings|Sydney Airport Group]] declined the Government's offer to build the second airport.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Blumer|first1=Clare|title=Badgerys Creek airport to be built by Federal Government as Sydney Airport declines first option|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-02/federal-government-will-build-second-sydney-airport-at-badgerys/8488616|access-date=4 May 2017|agency=ABC|publisher=ABC News|date=4 May 2017}}</ref>

The new airport started construction in 2018 and will be completed in late 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Journalist |first=Infrastructure |date=2023-09-06 |title=Western Sydney International Airport progress: an airport for the future |url=https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/western-sydney-international-airport-progress-an-airport-for-the-future/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Infrastructure Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of airports in Greater Sydney]]
* [[List of airports in New South Wales]]
* [[RAAF Station Mascot]]
* [[Transport in Australia]]
* [[United States Army Air Forces in Australia]] (World War II)

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sydney Airport}}
{{Wikivoyage|Sydney Airport}}
* [http://www.sydneyairport.com/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120116040522/http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/about/our-facilities/air-traffic-control-towers/sydney-control-tower/ Sydney Tower]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110722041502/http://www.flight.org/australian_waypoints/?q=yssy Sydney Airport Frequency and Airway Data]

{{Portalbar|Australia|Aviation|New South Wales}}
{{Sydney landmarks}}
{{Airports in Australia}}
{{Airports in New South Wales}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sydney Airport| ]]
[[Category:Airports in Greater Sydney]]
[[Category:1920 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1920]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Australia]]
[[Category:Mascot, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Botany Bay]]
[[Category:International airports in Australia]]