NEW DELHI— New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has failed to secure a formal commitment from an Indian airline to operate from Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), despite holding talks with Air India (AI) representatives during his four-day trade mission to India.
Minns met Air India officials in New Delhi as the NSW Government seeks to establish a direct air link between India and Western Sydney.
Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) is scheduled to open to passengers on October 25, 2026, but no Indian carrier has yet confirmed operations there.
Air India Operation Talks Continue
The New South Wales government views Indian aviation connectivity as an important part of Western Sydney International Airport’s international network.
However, Tuesday night’s meeting with Air India ended without a formal agreement or confirmed route.
Minns said the government wanted to demonstrate its commitment to bringing an Indian airline to the new airport, ABC News reported.
The Premier’s discussions come as Air India reviews its network, fleet requirements and finances while rebuilding its international operations.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey argued that Western Sydney could offer Air India a dependable passenger base because of the region’s large Indian diaspora.
He also pointed to India’s expanding middle class as an important source of future international travellers.
New South Wales Considers Financial Incentives
The NSW Government has indicated that it could use targeted financial support to make a Western Sydney route more attractive to an Indian carrier. Minns confirmed that an existing air attraction fund remains available for this purpose.
The proposal comes at a difficult time for airlines, with higher jet fuel prices putting pressure on international operations.
Air India has already adjusted parts of its international network, including reducing frequencies on some routes serving Australia, making the commercial case for a new airport operation more challenging.
Despite the uncertainty, the NSW Government believes a direct India-Western Sydney service could benefit both the airline and the airport.
A large Indian-origin population in Western Sydney could provide a base of regular passengers beyond seasonal tourism demand.
Airline Network at WSI
Western Sydney International is building its initial airline network ahead of its October opening. Jetstar and Air New Zealand are expected to begin operations in October, while Singapore Airlines is scheduled to follow in November.
VietJet is due to launch services in January 2027, with Qantas expected to begin operations in March.
The airport’s first commercial passenger flight will be operated by Jetstar, with Western Sydney set to become a new international gateway for the wider Sydney region.
India represents a particularly significant potential market for the airport. More than 181,000 visitors from India travelled to New South Wales in the year cited by Destination NSW, highlighting the scale of existing travel demand between the two markets.
For now, however, Western Sydney International remains without a confirmed Indian airline. Minns will need further negotiations to turn the NSW Government’s proposal into an actual India route.
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