Years of anticipation culminated in a historic touchdown at Western Sydney International Airport, as the first test cargo aircraft landed on the tarmac. <\/p>\n
The Qantas A321 freighter safely touched down at 2pm on Monday, marking a major milestone ahead of the airport\u2019s Cargo Precinct formal opening on July 26. <\/p>\n
The precinct is set to \u201csubstantially enhance\u201d Sydney\u2019s air freight capacity and aims to support the movement of 220,000 tonnes of freight annually. <\/p>\n
Western Sydney International chief executive Simon Hickey said the trial flights marked the final stages of the airport\u2019s operational readiness program, with testing procedures continuing throughout the next fortnight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese trials are an integral part of ensuring that our systems, infrastructure and staff have been put through their paces in a live and controlled operating environment,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Many aviation fanatics spectated outside the airport gates, celebrating with a round of applause.<\/p>\n
Acting Minister for Transport Kristy McBain welcomed Qantas Freight\u2019s first trial flight to Sydney\u2019s new airport. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the largest plane to land at Western Sydney International Airport so far, as we get ready to open for freight services,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe new airport will connect Western Sydney to the world, allowing us to move produce and goods from every corner of the state to new markets across the globe.\u201d <\/p>\n
Qantas and Jetstar both recently announced their services would fly from the new location later in the year.<\/p>\n
Jetstar is set to operate its first commercial passenger plane from the Airport on October 25, when the airport officially opens for passengers. <\/p>\n
The flight will take off at 11am local time and will be bound for the Gold Coast, marking the first of four weekly flights to the destination.<\/p>\n
The low-cost carrier will also operate three weekly flights to Brisbane and up to 14 to Melbourne Airport. <\/p>\n
While Qantas Freight will start officially operating by the end of July, its passenger services will only begin on March 28 next year.<\/p>\n
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