A Qantas Airbus A321 has become the first freighter aircraft to land at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), touching down as part of a readiness flight ahead of regular freight operations commencing in a few weeks.
QF7301 successfully landed at WSI at 2.00pm on July 13, 2026, helping validate key operational processes at the airport’s new Cargo Precinct, including aircraft handling, ground operations, systems, airside coordination and cargo transfer procedures.
Regular domestic freighter operations from Western Sydney International will begin on July 27, 2026, with the new terminal expected to handle more than 850 tonnes of freight each week.
As the nation’s leading air freight carrier, Qantas will support the movement of a diverse range of goods from the airline’s new 24,000 square-metre freight terminal, which will enable more seamless handling of cargo at Sydney’s newest airport.
The news follows the announcement that Jetstar will operate the first commercial passenger flight from Western Sydney International on October 25, 2026, the airport’s opening day. Qantas will follow from March 28, 2027 as part of an agreement between the Qantas Group and WSI covering both passenger and freight services.