Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been criticised for a key part of his promise regarding Australia’s newest, still unbuilt, international airport.
Mr Albanese and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced that Singapore Airlines would become the first international airline to fly to Western Sydney International Airport (WSI). However, they did so before an agreement had been signed.
“Instead of just making announcements about overseas flights that don’t even have contracts yet, the Albanian government should be taking action now to bring down the cost of domestic air travel,” Shadow Transport Minister Bridget McKenzie told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday morning.
Mr Albanese and Ms King announced last month that Singapore Airlines confirmed its intention to operate at the airport, which is scheduled to open in 2026.
“This new commercial agreement will enable Singapore Airlines to develop its future operations at WSI,” the government said at the time.
But before that announcement on August 27, no contract had been finalized on landing and other costs, or on the number of flights.
Critics argue that this premature approach gave the foreign airline an advantage in negotiations, rather than the Australian airport.
The government’s announcement made no mention of commercial agreements, but WSI said in its statement that commercial discussions were “continuing.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) has been criticised for a key part of his promise regarding Australia’s newest, and still unbuilt, international airport
“Commercial discussions regarding the airline’s future operations at Australia’s first completely new airport in more than 50 years are continuing,” a WSI spokeswoman said.
However, many airline industry experts say new airlines are typically not announced until commercial agreements are signed and tickets go on sale.
An industry insider said there is usually “a commercial agreement with the bank, along with information on the planning.”
“If you say an airline will fly there and there is no agreement, who is going to lose more face if it doesn’t work out? In this case you would say it’s probably the airport,” they told the Sunday Telegraph.
Singapore Airlines’ announcement follows the recent demise of two domestic carriers, Rex and Bonza, which saw airfares soar.
“Labour’s failure to take action on competition means travellers are paying more than they should to fly,” McKenzie said.
‘If you try to cover up this negligence with a press release without an agreement, you are making a fool of the public.
“There is no timetable, no timeline and no date for take-off… the Prime Minister issues a press release promising to fly without any preparatory work being done.”
Mr Albanese announced last month that Singapore Airlines had “confirmed its intention” to fly to Western Sydney Airport (pictured), which is due to open in 2026.
But no agreement on fares and slots has yet been signed with Singapore Airlines (aircraft in the photo)
Graham Turner, head of Flight Centre, said the government was “trying to put a positive spin on it but there are almost certainly no deals in terms of contracts or commitments”.
“It is positive that Singapore says they will support the airport, but the devil is in the details.”
Western Sydney Airport said “operational and planning discussions” are still ongoing with Singapore Airlines.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Albanese, Ms King, Mr Turner and Western Sydney Airport for further comment.