The first jet has landed at Australia’s newest international airport.

And a massive two-day emergency testing exercise is underway to prepare for the airport’s opening.

On Tuesday, a NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS 737) aircraft landed on the runway at the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

This is the first time that a 737 jet has landed at the new airport.

Set to open during the second half of next year, WSI will be Australia’s first new greenfield international airport in more than 50 years.

Upon opening, it will have capacity to cater for up to 10 million annual passengers.

The arrival of the jet kicked off a two-day emergency response testing exercise which is being conducted between multiple state and federal agencies.

The exercise is testing a full-scale aerodrome emergency response to a simulated aircraft incident.

It is testing the airport’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities in accordance with its emergency management plan and will ensure that the airport meets CASA Certification processes which are required for its opening.

The exercises involve:

  • the airport’s operational staff
  • around 300 volunteers and emergency services partners from the NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, RFS, and NSW Ambulance
  • federal agencies including Airservices Australia, the Australian Federal Police, and Australian Border Force; and
  • about 50 emergency service vehicles.

Over the two days, the roles and protocols of frontline agencies are being put to the test.

This includes immediate response, incident notification, forward command management, ambulance triage, disaster victim identification and registration, passenger welfare, crisis management and recovery arrangements.

Western Sydney International CEO Simon Hickey said the exercise is a critical part of the airport’s ongoing trial program as it prepares for next year’s opening.

“This will be the most significant simulation we’ve carried out to date and it’s a positive opportunity for our airport staff and all first responders to test our collective resources, protocols and general preparedness in a safe, controlled environment,” Hickey said.

 

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