Mayoral Column – Penrith rising as airport opens new opportunities

Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Freight services are now operating at Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), marking a major milestone for Penrith. Passenger flights will follow in October, connecting our City to the world.

The airport strengthens Western Sydney’s role in the global economy and brings a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Penrith. It reinforces our City’s position as a destination for residents, businesses, visitors and investors.

As the closest city centres to WSI, Penrith and St Marys are already seeing the benefits of long-term planning, advocacy and decision-making by Penrith City Council over successive terms.

The start of airfreight operations is an important signal to investors. The region is set to support global freight and logistics activity, attract new investment and, with the potential for Penrith to provide about 5,000 hectares of future employment land, create local jobs in aviation management, logistics, technology, engineering, advanced manufacturing and industries of the future.

This is a win for our community. More diverse career opportunities will help our growing population build skills, access local jobs and thrive close to home.

WSI’s freight services are also strengthening connections to our growing industrial precincts, where major companies are choosing to establish, invest and build their future.

Council welcomes and continues to prepare for the economic and social benefits the airport and the vital Metro rail link will bring.

With WSI’s new 24-hour cargo precinct operational at our front door, Penrith is uniquely positioned to capture the momentum of opportunities that significant industrial, residential and growth opportunities will generate for this City.

Learn more at investpenrith.com.au.

Cr Todd Carney
Mayor of Penrith

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 29 July 2026.