Sydney Airport (SYD) has revealed plans for its biggest terminal expansion since the 2000 Olympics were held in the city 25 years ago, setting out a vision to build up to 14 new gates for airlines.
On September 15, 2025, Sydney Airport released a statement outlining a preliminary draft of its Master Plan 2045.
This plan represents the airport’s long-term vision for growth and development over the next 20 years, aimed at establishing it as a “leading global airport and the most connected airport in Australia”.
Biggest terminal expansion since the 2000 Olympics
The main focus of the plan is to expand the connection between the T2 and T3 domestic terminals, forming a new area that combines regional, domestic, and international services.
This new initiative will add up to 12 international gates, alongside two additional gates at the T1 International Terminal. The airport stated this will provide “more capacity, smoother connections for passengers and greater efficiency for airlines.” Capacity for domestic and regional airlines will also be expanded.
“The proposed major terminal expansion joining the T2 and T3 terminals will be the most significant development at Sydney Airport since the Olympics, and will unlock greater capacity across all terminals, more efficient use of our runways, and ultimately get passengers from the ground and into the air more quickly,” said Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO.
Preparing for 72M passengers
By 2045, Sydney Airport anticipates hosting more than 72 million passengers annually, accounting for 79% of the total projected traffic for major airports in Sydney. Yet, as Charlton points out, meeting this growing demand is “no small task”.
“That’s why we’ve set ambitious goals across our operations, with a focus on safety, accessibility, customer service, and environmental performance,” Charlton said. “These efforts are expected to contribute an estimated AU$70.6 billion annually to the economy by 2045.”
International passenger numbers are projected to reach 36.4 million each year, while domestic and regional passenger figures are expected to rise to 36.2 million by 2045. The share of international passengers at Sydney Airport is likely to increase from just under 40% to 50.4% by 2045.
The plan also predicts that airfreight volumes will expand to 1.4 million tons per year, which is more than double the current amount. This means reaching 1.4 million tons by 2045.
At the same time, Sydney Airport is anticipated to significantly boost job creation, directly supporting over 105,000 jobs. This translates to around 1,500 new jobs annually, many of which will be in local communities around the airport. When including jobs related to freight, trade, and tourism, the total is expected to exceed 560,000 jobs.
Sydney Airport currently links more than 50 airlines to over 100 destinations globally, contributing AU$45.3 billion (US$30.2 billion) in annual economic activity and supporting jobs, tourism, and development throughout New South Wales and Australia.
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