Global air and travel services provider dnata has committed approximately A$32 million to establish a cargo terminal at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport in Australia, ahead of the airport’s full passenger opening later this year.
dnata will operate from a 5,000 sqm warehouse facility within the airport’s 24-hour Cargo Precinct, supported by an additional 4,000 sqm of surrounding land.
The airport will deliver the site as a cold shell, with dnata undertaking a full fit-out of the terminal, including the installation of a semi-motorised materials handling system.
Western Sydney Airport lands A$32mn dnata cargo deal ahead of 2026 launch
Approximately A$6 million of the total investment will be allocated to equipment and technology to support cargo operations, including pharmaceuticals and other time- and temperature-sensitive shipments.
Freighter operations are scheduled to commence in July 2026. At maturity, the facility will handle up to 60,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
“Our investment in Western Sydney International reflects strong confidence in the region’s long-term economic trajectory and the critical role air freight plays in supporting Australian trade. By establishing a purpose-built cargo facility from day one, we are strengthening supply chain resilience, supporting local industry and creating skilled employment opportunities in one of the country’s fastest-growing economic corridors,” Burt Sigsworth, Managing Director of dnata Airport Operations – Australia said in a statement.
The operation is projected to create approximately 50 direct roles in its initial phase, with further positions anticipated as volumes grow. The facility is also expected to generate broader economic activity across freight forwarding, logistics, ground handling and associated supply chain services in Western Sydney.
“We’re thrilled to welcome dnata Cargo to WSI’s brand-new cargo hub, bringing its top-tier services for airlines and their customers and creating more meaningful job opportunities for workers across Greater Sydney. Our purpose-built 24-hour Cargo Precinct will increase Sydney’s air cargo capacity and provide dedicated access via the upgraded Northern Road with close proximity to growing freight and logistics centres at Kemps Creek and the Aerotropolis. Like everything at WSI, the Cargo Precinct is built for growth, and while we’re excited to open stage one and launch operations by the end of July, it also has capacity to expand significantly over the years ahead, in line with market demands,” Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer of WSI added.
“Western Sydney is the logistics heart of NSW, and our new airport will work hand in hand with other Australian Government investments, like the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal, to get goods off planes and across the country quickly and efficiently. This airport is built to grow, which will give Australian businesses the capacity and ability to grow alongside it,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King further explained.
dnata to build cargo terminal at Nancy-Bird Walton Airport in A$32 million deal
WSI’s Cargo Precinct includes warehousing and is capable of servicing eight wide-body aircraft at any one time. It will open with capacity to handle at least 220,000 tonnes of freight per year.
The cargo terminal announcement follows an earlier commitment from dnata’s Catering and Retail division to invest in an inflight catering centre within the same Cargo Precinct. That facility will be capable of producing up to three million meals per year for airline partners operating at Sydney’s first 24-hour airport.
dnata has an established presence in Australia, operating across nine airports nationwide where it provides cargo, ground handling, passenger services and inflight catering.
The company supports more than 107,000 aircraft movements per year and processes around 300,000 tonnes of cargo across its Australian network. Through its catering division, dnata produces and delivers more than 54 million meals annually for airline partners.
The company employs approximately 8,000 people across Australia. Its investments at Western Sydney International represent a continuation of its commitment to national infrastructure and industry growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
