Sydney Airport is undertaking its largest terminal expansion since the 2000 Olympics, including the addition of up to 14 new aircraft gates to boost capacity and competitiveness ahead of Western Sydney Airport's opening in late 2026.

The expansion aims to serve over 70 million passengers annually by 2045, with a significant increase in international travelers, supporting tourism and economic growth.

Passenger numbers are projected to grow by 75% to 72 million annually by 2045, with international travelers making up nearly half of all passengers, facilitating new routes and long-haul flights to destinations like New York, London, and Asian cities.

Air cargo volume is expected to more than double to 1.4 million tonnes annually by 2045, prompting the development of new warehouses, with cargo mainly transported in passenger aircraft holds and some via dedicated freighters.

The new gates will accommodate nearly all commercial aircraft except A380 superjumbos, with a layout allowing seamless switching between domestic and international flights to improve operational flexibility.

A core element of the plan is linking Terminals 2 and 3 into a single precinct, consolidating regional, domestic, and international flights to enhance connectivity and passenger experience.

Sydney Airport's Master Plan 2045 aims to make travel faster, easier, and less stressful, focusing on creating a more efficient, friendly, and sustainable airport environment.

The plan targets reducing check-in to boarding time to just 15 minutes through expanded terminals, smarter technology, high-tech security lanes, and biometric screening.

The expansion will improve runway efficiency and reduce noise footprint by modifying flight paths and utilizing quieter aircraft like the A350, despite increased flight numbers.

The project supports an economy contributing around $70.6 billion annually, with freight increasing to 1.4 million tonnes per year, bolstering regional economic growth.

Sydney Airport’s CEO emphasizes that the redevelopment will help maintain its competitiveness against other regional hubs, with work on new gates expected to begin within 1-2 years for international and early 2028 for domestic terminals.

The total investment in the project is approximately $750 million this year, reflecting the scale of the redevelopment effort.