Sydney airspace changes

Changes to Sydney Basin airspace are now in effect.

The introduction of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) has changed airspace across the Sydney Basin.

These changes safely integrate new flight paths. They also maintain capacity, efficiency and separation for aircraft.

The Sydney Basin now has 4 neighbouring control zones:

  • Western Sydney International Airport, Class C
  • Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Class C
  • Bankstown Airport, Class D
  • Camden Airport, Class D.

If you fly in the Sydney Basin, check the changes before you fly. Do not rely on old routes, charts or saved flight plans.

Before you fly in the Sydney Basin

Take 60 seconds to run through this checklist before your next flight.

Planning your flight

  1. Updated your flight planning tools

    • Check you're using the 9 July AIRAC data.
    • Update your electronic flight bag (EFB), charts, databases and any physical copies.

  2. You're using the latest

    • Aeronautical Information Package (AIP) information.
    • Review the relevant aerodrome FAC page in the ERSA.
    • Check AIP SUPs for extra information that may affect your flight.

  3. You have read NOTAMs

    • Check NAIPs for current information about aerodromes and airspace groups.
    • Look for changes near Western Sydney International, Bankstown, Camden, Richmond and Sydney Harbour.

  4. Your aircraft has a working transponder, and you know how to use it

    • Check your transponder is working before you fly.
    • Make sure you know how to use it before entering controlled airspace.
    • You need a transponder to fly in the newly established Class D control area – noting this does not include the Camden and Bankstown control zones.

Before you depart

  1. You know your route and radio calls

    • Plan your route, altitude and radio calls before engine start.
    • Use coded clearances when leaving or arriving at Bankstown Airport.

  2. You have submitted a flight plan

    • Submit your flight plan at least 30 minutes before your estimated departure time.
    • Check you have received your squawk code from ATC before departure.

Summary of changes

Western Sydney International Airport

New controlled airspace now applies at Western Sydney International Airport.

This airspace features:

  • 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

The Class C control zone boundaries over Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport have changed.

Check current charts and AIP information before you fly near Sydney controlled airspace.

Sydney/Bankstown Airport

Several airspace changes now apply around Bankstown Airport.

These include:

  • an extended Bankstown control zone to the northwest
  • a new Class D control step above part of the control zone, from 1,500 ft to 2,000 ft
  • a new Class D control area to the southwest, from 1,000 ft to 2,500 ft
  • a new east-west Class D control area to the north, from 1,000 ft to 1,500 ft
  • changed VFR routes southwest of the airport and a new one-way VFR route for departures to the southeast.

The new Class D control step allows aircraft flying north to stay in controlled airspace for longer.

The new southwest control area extends from Bankstown to north of Camden Airport. It supports VFR aircraft arriving at, and departing from, Bankstown.

The new east-west control area supports VFR transit between Penrith and northern routes.

Before flying to, from or near Bankstown, check your current charts, ERSA, AIP SUPs and NOTAMs.

Camden Airport

A square-shaped volume of Class C airspace now sits above Camden Airport.

This airspace has a lower limit of 4,500 ft.

Between 2300 and 0600 daily, some airspace that is normally Class G will change to Class C.

This Class C airspace has a lower limit of 1,500 ft during this time. It allows aircraft movements at WSI.

Restricted airspace

Airservices and Defence have changed several restricted areas.

These include:

  • Restricted airspace near Richmond, with new numbers and boundaries (R479, R480, R481).
  • Sydney Harbour R405AB, which has combined into one single restricted area known as R407B.
  • New restricted airspace near Sydney Harbour, known as R407A.

Danger areas

Four danger areas have been established south of Bankstown and Camden Airports during daytime hours. The areas are designed to alert pilots of the presence of flight training activities.

They will be incorporated into the July 2027 charts.

More information, including location coordinates, is available in AIP SUP H98/26.

Further proposed changes

Some proposed changes near Bankstown Airport are not yet final.

These may change after consultation.

CASA has consulted on:

Subscribe to our airspace and aerodromes mailing list for updates.

Provide feedback

We welcome feedback from pilots about your experience operating in airspace surrounding Western Sydney International Airport.

Your feedback will help us understand the overall pilot experience, measure operational impacts, assess the effectiveness of the airspace and identify opportunities for improvement.

Provide your feedback through our Airspace insights form.

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated:
15 Sep 2026
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//operations-safety-and-travel/airspace/sydney-airspace-changes
Back to top of page