Sydney’s new international airport opens to passengers

SYDNEY, Oct 25 (Reuters) Sydney s new A$5.6 billion ($3.94 billion) airport opened to passengers on Sunday after more than a decade of planning, ​in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‌said was a milestone for the country s most populous city. The new Western Sydney International Airport in Badgerys Creek, about 60 km (37.3 miles) west of central Sydney, will operate ‌24 ​hours a day, giving airlines ⁠access to a fast-growing ⁠and ethnically diverse population centre. The current airport, located closer to Sydney s central business district, can host takeoffs and landings only until 11 p.m. ​and after 6 a.m., limiting airline scheduling options relative to other major Australian cities like ⁠Melbourne. For the first time in ⁠more than 50 years, Australia is ​opening a major new airport. It’s a milestone that ​has been decades in the making, Albanese ‌said in a statement. I’m very proud to officially open it, he said. Qantas budget arm Jetstar was due to operate the first outbo