Two more freight companies have entered Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Western Sydney Airport regarding the design of the new freight precinct, marking growing support for the massive project.
Toll Group and dnata are the latest freight companies to sign MOUs with Western Sydney Airport, following an initial ten that signed in August 2019.
These companies were Australia Post (including StarTrack), DB Schenker, DHL Express, DSV Air and Sea, FedEx, Menzies Aviation, Swissport, Qantas Freight, Skyroad Logistics and Wymap.
Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer, Graham Millett, said Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will open up global markets to Australian exporters, supporting the NSW economy into the future.
“This freight precinct has the potential to become Sydney’s most important freight hub, generating thousands of jobs, and we’re thrilled to have two of the industry’s leaders, dnata and Toll Group, on board enabling us to optimise the functionality and design for our freight customers at Sydney’s new Airport,” Mr Millett said.
“Western Sydney International has the capacity to become one of Australia’s largest airports in years to come, so engaging with our customers to develop a ‘fit-for-purpose’ precinct upon opening and into the future is critical.
“For freight companies, it’s an enticing proposition – we can offer landside and airside freight access on a greenfield site with 24/7 operations. Our MOU partners can share with us what size facility they need, what technology they want and how they want it designed to optimise productivity.”
With expertise in ground-handling along with other airline support services, dnata will provide a unique insight into the operations required to support both passenger and cargo services.
“dnata is excited to partner with Western Sydney Airport in both shaping the future of freight and growing the freight market. This partnership enables dnata to fulfil our strategy of providing the highest level of customer service, as well as offering the most innovative solutions to the market,” dnata Head of Cargo, Terence Yong, said.
Toll Group’s experience in developing state-of-the-art capabilities will also be invaluable in developing Australia’s newest freight hub.
“As one of the leading operators of domestic air freight in Australia, Toll is delighted to be sharing its expertise with Western Sydney Airport. We recognise the significant opportunity this new airport creates to service our customers and meet the demands of our freight operations,” Toll Group General Manager Aviation, Noel Prosser, said.
Western Sydney International will capitalise on the growing demand for Australia’s fresh produce abroad and create opportunities to export temperature-sensitive and perishable products.
“For producers across the region and beyond into regional NSW, many of which are small to medium and family-owned, Western Sydney International’s 24/7 operations will be the key to growing their businesses by unlocking lucrative Asian fresh-produce markets,” Mr Millett said.
For the Federal Government, which invested $5.3 billion into the airport, this development marks a significant step forward for the project.
Federal Finance Minister, Mathias Cormann, said partnering with leading international freight companies provides valuable insights into the optimal design of a freight precinct.
“These partnerships help pave the way towards a genuinely world-class facility. Ongoing discussions with freight companies about potential operations will be focused on maximising efficiencies delivered by the new airport,” Mr Cormann said.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said that Western Sydney International will bring unprecedented economic opportunities to the region and that its freight capacity would contribute significantly to the tens of thousands of jobs generated by the new airport.
”Western Sydney International will provide an important freight hub in Sydney, with the advantage of 24‑hour air operations meaning that perishable or time‑sensitive Australian products could leave Sydney at night and arrive in Asian markets in time for sale the following morning,” Mr Tudge said.
Federal Senator for Western Sydney, Marise Payne, said Western Sydney International opens in 2026 it will have capacity for around 220,000 tonnes of freight a year – a figure which is expected to grow as the airport grows, with potential to handle around 1.8 million freight tonnes in the 2060s.
“Expanding the capacity of the freight network through the delivery of a cutting-edge freight precinct will help connect consumers with more goods from across the globe,” Senator Payne said.
All levels of government are working together through the Western Sydney City Deal to capitalise on the economic opportunity presented by the airport to deliver a vibrant Aerotropolis with industries that benefit from being close to an airport, including an agribusiness precinct adjacent to the airport.
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, said Western Sydney International would be a catalyst for jobs and economic growth, bringing jobs closer to home for people in Western Sydney.
“The investment in Western Sydney and the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is unlocking potential in our community.
“With a number of emerging industries investing in our region, we have employment targets for local workers to make up at least 30 per cent of the workforce during construction and 50 per cent once the airport is operational,” Mrs McIntosh said.
“During construction over 11,000 jobs direct and indirect jobs will be supported and five years after opening over 28,000 full time jobs will be created, and we welcome investment from large, small and medium businesses.”
