For residents of Western Sydney, as well as business and leisure travelers to Australia, the completion of the construction stage of Western Sydney International Airport marks the first major airport built in Australia in more than 50 years, and will signal a generational shift that will transform Western Sydney in many ways when it opens in 2026. Located in Badgerys Creek, a suburb of Sydney, the terminal is a catalyst for long-term economic, social and cultural opportunities in the region.

© Trevor Mein

The newly completed Western Sydney International Airport terminal reveals a design grounded in place, shaped by light and built for the future of aviation. Achieving a 5-Star Green Star Rating, the terminal’s modular design allows for phased expansion and integrates effective design principles utilizing natural ventilation, on-site energy generation, and rainwater collection and recycling.

From initial design concepts by COX Architecture and Zaha Hadid Architects to the design and construction by Multiplex and Woods Bagot, the terminal blends innovation with functionality. It reflects the identity of its setting while offering an intuitive and future-ready passenger experience.

© Trevor Mein

“We are on the precipice of launching a seamless and stress-free airport experience unlike any other in Australia,” said Simon Hickey, CEO, Western Sydney International Airport. “WSI will give our global city a 24-hour international gateway that will continue to create significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney.”

Inspired by the vast horizons of the Cumberland Plain, the terminal’s architecture reflects the natural beauty of the region. Its horizontal form and transparency are informed by the surrounding landscape. Its sculptural ceiling, one of the building’s defining features, filters light from skylights in the roof. “This is a rare opportunity to define the next generation of airport design on a global stage,” said Cristiano Ceccato, director and design lead, Zaha Hadid Architects. “Together with COX, we created a design that meets the highest standards of architectural innovation, passenger experience and operational efficiency. What makes this terminal extraordinary is its blend of human-scaled design and international ambition. It is grounded in its setting, and yet globally competitive.”

© Brett Boardman

“The ‘Great Australian Light’ is one of the defining qualities of the Australian experience, and it has been central to our design thinking,” added Ceccato. “The way light filters through the terminal shapes how people move, orient and feel – creating a sense of calm, clarity and connection. For many, this space marks their very first encounter with Australia, and we wanted that experience to feel unmistakably grounded in place.”

One of the most culturally diverse regions in Australia; Western Sydney’s identity is reflected throughout the terminal’s public spaces. The design was shaped through consultation with Dharug Custodians, in collaboration with First Nations consultant Murrawin, embedding local narratives into the architecture. Open sightlines, warm materiality and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces result in a terminal egalitarian in spirit and expressive of local values.

© Brett Boardman

The terminal’s modular design allows for phased expansion, ensuring flexibility to accommodate future technology and passenger needs without compromising operational efficiency.