Aerotropolis 2026: Global and local best for Western Sydney Airport precinct

The world’s best and brightest industry leaders will be invited alongside our local best to the Aerotropolis 2026 Summit in Sydney next year to make Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek part of a truly world-class precinct.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement overnight at Incheon Airport in South Korea which has consistently been voted the world’s best airport.

“We want Western Sydney Airport to be about much more than just building an airport – we want it to be a fully integrated economic precinct that will deliver jobs and opportunities for the people of Western Sydney and across NSW” Ms Berejiklian said.

“There is much we can learn from Incheon Airport and its surrounding infrastructure as we plan for Western Sydney Airport. Incehon is a powerful example of how to leverage the economic impact of an airport by creating an ‘aerotropolis’, or city around an airport, with thriving industrial and commercial presence.

The Aerotropolis 2026 Summit will be an invitation only event jointly hosted by the NSW and Australian Governments. The event will target industries such as defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, freight and logistics, agribusiness, health, education and tourism.

Ms Berejiklian used her first overseas mission as Premier to invite Korean business leaders, including representatives from Incheon Airport, to the summit.

“We believe the Western Sydney Airport offers a real strategic opportunity to global companies and as Premier I am committed to attracting the world’s best to base themselves in Western Sydney,” she said.

“The Western Sydney Airport will be a flagship for NSW and Australia – this is the nation’s next major airport and one that we hope will become a global destination.”

The NSW Government is working closely with the Australian Government to maximise the opportunities from unprecedented levels of infrastructure spending in Western Sydney. The Australian Government is responsible for delivering the airport and is investing up to $5.3 billion in equity with the airport to be operational by 2026.

Ms Berejiklian’s visit comes after global defence and aerospace company Northrop Grumman announced plans for a $50 million investment in an advanced defence electronics maintenance and sustainment centre at the Badgerys Creek airport precinct earlier this year.

The Summit will be held in Western Sydney in mid-2018.