Sydney Airport is rolling out a series of upgrades designed to make every journey more seamless, safe and sustainable. These initiatives focus on enhancing the passenger experience from kerbside to take off.

Enhancing the Passenger Journey

We are continuously looking for ways to improve the passenger journey, including easing the pressure during busy holiday travel.

Travelers can expect extended check-in opening times, upgraded security, shorter wait times, and clearer signage throughout the terminals.

Noise management

Behind the scenes, noise management strategies such as rotating runways and supporting quieter aircraft—are helping reduce ground noise for our local community, whilst also planning for future growth.

T2/T3 integration

To meet growing demand over the next 20 years, we’re planning a major expansion of the T2/T3 terminal precinct — creating a new Integrated Terminal that will make it easier than ever to move between regional, domestic and international flights. This upgrade will deliver improved comfort, efficiency and flexibility for millions of passengers each year. We’re introducing smarter security processes, automated passenger services and better facilities, while expanding our capacity to handle more flights, more destinations and a greater variety of aircraft.

The plan also builds on our current $200 million T2 upgrade, which is already improving the airport experience with faster check-ins, enhanced security and more modern amenities. Apron expansions are also underway to accommodate larger aircraft and minimise delays.

Digital passenger cards

In partnership with the Australian Border Force, a trial of digital passenger cards for arrivals from New Zealand is streamlining the declaration process. Qantas passengers flying from Auckland (QF144) and Queenstown (QF122) to Sydney can skip the paper incoming passenger card and complete their declaration digitally through the Qantas app before they fly. Upon landing at Sydney Airport, eligible passengers will receive a digital pass with a QR code, which they can simply show to border and biosecurity officers before making their onward journey. The trial forms part of broader efforts to improve the arrival experience at Sydney Airport, including the recent installation of eight new ABF SmartGate kiosks at T1, boosting processing capacity by 640 passengers per hour.

Smarter Ground Transport

We're upgrading the Pier B South Apron at T1 International terminal to make way for new generation, quieter and more sustainable aircraft.

As part of the Pier B upgrades, we’re adding 7 fully electric busses. The new busses will provide a safer, quieter, more efficient, more comfortable ride to passengers, while helping the airport transition to more sustainable ground transport. The first busses will arrive in December 2025 for fitout, testing and SYD branding. Expect to see the new busses in operation in early 2026.

This is part of our ambitious plan to be Net Zero (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030. Sydney Airport will also be electrifying all of Sydney Airport’s bussing operations including the Transfer Bus, Seamless Transfer and Blu Emu Carpark bus fleets.

Passengers using Pier B will also benefit from more seating, new lifts, new escalators and upgraded bathroom facilities.

Convenient Kerbside Access

We have streamlined access to both Uber and Taxis across T1 International and T3 Domestic.

Uber kerbside at T1 and T3

Sydney Airport has successfully launched Uber kerbside pick-up at Terminal 1, following the model trialled at T3. This initiative improves passenger convenience by reducing walking distances and easing congestion. The new layout includes a dedicated holding bay and upgraded signage, helping streamline traffic flow, enhance safety for both passengers and drivers and reduce congestion.

Taxi services are also getting smarter, with a fixed-fare trial for trips to the CBD alongside a concierge program for added convenience.

Taxi Fixed Fare to City

A new fixed fare trial is underway for taxi trips from Sydney Airport to the CBD, aiming to eliminate fare gouging and improve transparency. Standard taxis will charge a flat rate of $60, while maxi taxis will be capped at $80. This initiative, backed by the NSW pricing regulator, is designed to simplify the passenger experience and restore confidence in airport taxi services.

Taxi Concierge Attendant

Sydney Airport has launched a taxi concierge program in partnership with the NSW Taxi Council and Cabcharge. The service places trained attendants at taxi ranks to assist passengers, monitor compliance, and report breaches.