Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport has entered into memoranda of understanding with Qantas Group and Virgin Australia Holdings for the airlines to provide insights into design and planning, according to a statement posted on the airport's website.

Currently under construction and due to open in 2026 with capacity for 10 million passengers per annum, the airport said it was in also early discussions with Jetstar Airways and Tigerair Australia about future services.

The Qantas and Virgin Australia MOUs will see collaboration on issues such as passenger terminal and boarding; technology and innovation in baggage handling, security, and customer service; airport access including train stations, parking, and rideshare; and air cargo facilities.

The Badgerys Creek airport site is around 1,780 hectares, almost twice the size of that of Sydney Kingsford Smith, and has been set aside for possible airport development for nearly thirty years, according to the future airport's website.

It will be the closest point of departure for around 2.5 million people, to be centred in Western Sydney which the statement describes as Australia’s third-largest economy.

The memoranda are "a tremendous vote of confidence" in the new airport by Australia’s airlines, its chief executive Graham Millett said.

“The insights we’ll gain from working with the airlines help us build an airport that people will love using. Australian airlines have long been advocates of Western Sydney gaining its own airport,” he said.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce commented that “given the size and significance of New South Wales to the national economy, a second airport is exactly what we need to keep growing.”

He added: “It’s not often you get to help design an airport from scratch. [...] This is a chance to create a great experience for passengers and a high level of efficiency for airlines, which helps us keep fares lower.”