Airport Guide

History of Sydney Airport

Despite some people claiming that Australia is a country with no great history, the principal airport serving its popular capital is one of the oldest continually-operating airports in the world.
First opened in 1920 as an aerodrome, the first proper runways were laid down in 1933, capable of handling small aircraft serving the east of the country.

By the time the airport was renamed in honour of the Australian aviation pioneer Charles Kingford Smith in 1953, traffic had picked up considerably, while just seven years later work began on expanding the two runways and constructing a new international terminal. Duly opened by the Queen in 1970, the terminal has since been further expanded in the 1990s, alongside the controversial third runway. Presently, the whole of the airport is in the midst of a 20-year development plan, which will see better parking facilities and office accommodation constructed in the surrounding districts.

Travelling to Sydney Airport

As befits a modern capital, Sydney's main airport is easily accessed from the city centre, both by private car and public transportation.
Located directly beneath both the domestic and international terminals are railway stations of the Cityrail network, which offer quick and easy links to most part of the metropolis at a very reasonable cost.

Likewise, Sydney Buses runs regular services between the airport and the suburbs of Burwood and Bondi, famous for its beach, though those travellers looking to disembark and head straight to the surf with their boards may want to take the train simply for logistical reasons.
For those in a hurry to either catch a flight or enjoy the best Sydney has to offer, taxis are available 24 hours a day, but understandably cost considerably more than the alternatives.

Airlines Flying from Sydney

Unsurprisingly, the most common site on the tarmac of Sydney Airport is the while kangaroo on the red tail of the planes operated by the Australian national carrier Qantas. As well as offering regular services across the vast country, including flights to Perth and Darwin, the carrier also has a strong presence in some of the most popular international routes to an from the city, including Los Angeles, Singapore, Hing Kong, Auckland and London.

With Qantas having its own terminal at Sydney, dozens of other carriers fight for space at Terminal 2, with almost all the world's national carriers offering at least one service. For example, China Airlines flies to Taopei, Air Canada to Vancouver and Japan Airways to Tokyo.

Over recent years, operators boasting lower ticket prices have established a strong presence at Sydney, including Jetstar for domestic flight and Virgin Blue, which crosses the Pacific to North America.