People living in western Sydney are being promised at least half of the jobs at the city's second airport when it becomes fully operational from 2026.

The federal government-owned company that will build and own the airport at Badgerys Creek, WSA Co, on Thursday announced 50 per cent of employees will hopefully be locals.

It is also setting a 30 per cent target for local workers during construction.

It is estimated about a third of workers living in Sydney’s west have to leave the area to get to their jobs.

Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher says the project will be a “game-changer” for local workers.

“These workforce targets are designed to ensure that Western Sydney Airport will deliver substantial employment opportunities for the people of western Sydney,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

WSA Co will report annually on their employment targets from 2021.