Sydney airspace changes

The introduction of Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) requires changes to the airspace over the Sydney Basin.

These changes safely integrate new flight paths while maintaining capacity, efficiency and separation for aircraft.

From 9 July 2026, the Sydney basin will have 4 neighbouring control zones:

  • Western Sydney International Airport - Class C (new)
  • Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport - Class C
  • Bankstown Airport - Class D
  • Camden Airport - Class D.

Airservices Australia is making changes to the airspace for each of these airports. Some restricted areas will also change following extensive work with Defence.

We have provided a high-level summary of these changes below.

What you need to do before 9 July 2026

  1. Check what's changing

    • Review the updated Sydney visual terminal chart (VTC), En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA) and relevant Aeronautical Information Package (AIP) publications.
    • Learn where new control zones will be and how visual flight rules (VFR) routes will change. Ensure you know how to use them.
    • If you operate a drone or fly as a remote pilot, check a CASA-verified drone safety app before you fly. It shows where you can fly and if you need approval.

  2. Update your flight planning tools

    • Update your electronic flight bag (EFB), charts, databases and any physical copies before you fly.
    • Allow time for updates to sync and check they are available offline.

  3. Confirm transponder requirements

    • Check your aircraft is equipped and you can operate the transponder before you fly in the new Class D airspace.

  4. Plan before your flight

    • Check NOTAMs and your aerodrome ERSA entry.
    • Plan your correct route, altitude and radio calls.
    • Practice using coded clearances before flying near Bankstown Airport. Using coded clearances will reduce radio congestion and improve communication with air traffic control.
    • Know how to submit a flight plan if operating in Class C or Class D airspace.

Summary of changes

Western Sydney International Airport

Airservices will establish new airspace for Western Sydney International Airport. This airspace will feature:

  • a control zone from the surface to 1,500 ft surrounding Western Sydney International Airport
  • a step structured design of controlled airspace from 1,500 ft to 18,000 ft
  • Australia's first Digital Aerodrome Service (DAS).

Sydney/Kingsford Smith Airport

Airservices will redefine the Class C control zone boundaries over Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

Sydney/Bankstown Airport

Airservices will make several changes to airspace around Bankstown Airport:

  • The Bankstown control zone will be extended to the northwest.
  • A new control step will be added above. This will let aircraft flying north stay in controlled airspace for longer. It will operate as Class D from 1,500 ft to 2,000 ft.
  • A new control area will be added to the southwest. It will support VFR aircraft into and out of the airport. This airspace will extend from Bankstown to the north of Camden Airport. It will operate as Class D from 1,000 ft to 2,500 ft.
  • A new east-west control area will be added to the north. The control area has a Class D airspace classification from 1,000 ft to 1,500 ft and will facilitate VFR aircraft transit between Penrith and other northern routes.
  • The VFR routes southwest of the airport will move further south.

Camden Airport

A square shaped volume of Class C airspace will be added above Camden Airport, with a lower limit of 4,500 ft introduced. Between 2300 – 0600 daily, airspace that is normally Class G will change to Class D airspace with a lower limit of 1,500 ft to allow for aircraft movements at WSI.

Restricted airspace

Airservices and Defence will change several restricted areas:

  • Restricted airspace near Richmond (R469, R470, R494) will change. They will be replaced with new numbers and boundaries (R479, R480, R481).
  • Sydney Harbour R405AB will combine into a single restricted area and renamed to R407B.
  • A new restricted airspace (R407A) will be introduced near Sydney Harbour.

Further proposed changes

Additional changes have been proposed near Bankstown Airport. These changes are not yet finalised and may change following consultation.

Related content

Last updated:
5 May 2026
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//operations-safety-and-travel/airspace/sydney-airspace-changes
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