Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, SYD

Airport Name: Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport
IATA Code: SYD, ICAO Code: YSSY
Airport Type: Large Airport
Elevation: 6 metres.
Municipiality: Sydney, Region: New South Wales, Country: Australia
Website: SYD Airport Official Website
Wikipedia link: SYD Airport on Wikipedia
Also Known As: RAAF Station Mascot

Sydney Airport, also known as the Kingsford Smith International Airport, is Australia's busiest airport for both international and domestic flights, serving over 36 million passengers in 2010. It is among the world's oldest continually operating airport, and is currently run by the Sydney Airport Corporation Limited.

Located next to the Botany Bay, the Sydney Airport is the only major airport that operates in Sydney. It is the main hub for Qantas, Australia's largest airline (and also its flag carrier), and a secondary hub for other large airlines like Virgin Australia, Regional Express Airlines, and Jetstar Airways (a subsidiary of Qantas).

History

The area where the airport is currently situated was once a bullock paddock owned by the Kensington Race Club. The federal government, with an idea to establish a public airfield in that area, compulsorily obtained the land from the racing club in 1923. A year later, the first regular flights took place. The airport was then called the Sydney Airport.

In 1933, the first runways, 07-25 and 16R-34L, which were made of gravel, were built. The 16R is currently the longest runway in Australia. These runways were primarily used by small aircrafts, although there are also some larger aircrafts that land there occasionally.

From Sydney Airport, the airport was renamed Kingsford Smith Airport in 1953, in honor of the Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith.

In 1966, when the need for an international airport arose, the Sydney Airport underwent expansions. A new terminal was opened in May 3, 1970. In October of the same year, the first Boeing-747 arrived in the airport.

In 1992, the international terminal was expanded, and since then, several renovations were made. This included the controversial decision of creating a third runway, which was built parallel to the main north-south runway. Other renovations are ongoing and are expected to be finished by 2025.

Runways

At present, the Sydney Airport has three runways known as the 'north-south' , 'east-west' and 'third' runways. All three are made of asphalt and measures 3,962m, 2,438m, and 2,530m long.

Terminals

Sydney Airport consists of three main terminals, a fourth terminal located on the east of terminal 2, and a freight terminal found north of Terminal 1. There is a shuttle service that transfer passengers from one terminal to another at a price of A$5.50.

Terminal 1 (T1) is known today as the International Terminal, and is located in the northwestern sector of the Airport. This terminal can accommodate an Airbus A380, which flies to Singapore, London, Los Angeles, and Dubai. The building is split into three levels, with one level each for the airline, arrivals, and departure offices. The departure office has a total of 200 check-in desks. T1 also has six lounges, one each for Air New Zealand, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines, and two for Qantas. This terminal underwent a $500 million renovation project completed in 2010.

Terminal 2 (T2), found in the northeastern part of the airport, was the former site of Ansett Australia's domestic operations. At present, this terminal serves Qantaslink, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Regional Express Airlines, and Aeropelican Air Services. Lounges are available for the first three airlines mentioned.

Terminal 3 (T3), a domestic terminal, is also located at the airport's northeastern side. It is the former home of the Trans Australia Airlines. Today, it serves Qantas and Qantaslink flights going to Canberra. This terminal houses a large lounge for Qantas Airways, and also a Business Class lounge. It also has a 'Heritage Collection' containing different collections from Qantas' 90 years of service.

Flights and Destinations

There are around 50 airlines which fly to and from the Sydney Airport, going to the different destinations in Australia, Europe, Asia, America, and Africa.

Transport To and From the Airport

Sydney Airport can be accessed through train, bus, cars, and even bikes. It has an underground rail line, with stations located below or near each of the three terminals. Although the stations are part of the Cityrail network, and the trains are regular suburban trains, they are privately owned and run by the Airport link consortium, so the passengers are required to pay an access fee of $11.80.

There also are buses which carries passengers from the railway stations of Burwood to Bondi juction to the airport terminals. Private buses from Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Sutherland Shire also serve the airport.

The airport has road connections to the different parts of the city. There are also several car parks, some of which are officially run by the airport, while others are run by third party operators. And for those who live near the airport, you can get there through your bike, as each terminal has bicycle racks.

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport Arrivals

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport Departures

Flight information is provided by FlightStats, and is subject to the FlightStats Terms of Use.

Routes To and From Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport

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