Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) has partnered with global technology powerhouse Amadeus for their complete range of operational and passenger systems. Its self-service check-in and bag drop hardware are being manufactured in Glendenning, in Blacktown, at Micron Manufacturing’s high-tech metal fabrication facility.
WSI’s CEO Simon Hickey said 29 locals from diverse backgrounds are employed full-time at the facility and have been laser cutting and welding WSI’s consoles and kiosks to life.
They’ll then be fitted out with Amadeus’ self-service hardware and linked to an IT system that will enable passengers to reliably check in and drop bags in a matter of minutes.
“WSI’s check-in and bag-drop facilities are innovative hardware systems designed, built and manufactured right here in Western Sydney and will be used by millions of passengers that pass through our gates from 2026,” Mr Hickey said.
“Employing Western Sydney’s skilled workforce to build this once-in-a-generation airport is creating a legacy of job opportunities and economic growth, well into the future.
“In fact, WSI has already been the catalyst for more than $15B of investment in supporting road, rail and social infrastructure by the Australian and NSW governments.
“Its potential to drive transformative economic uplift, as a significant piece of NSW infrastructure, has simply not been seen in our city since the Sydney Harbour Bridge.”
More broadly across the airport, Amadeus will design various systems that focus on a positive experience for WSI’s passengers, including management of flight data, aircraft stands and gates, as well as boarding and biometrics services.
Sarah Samuel, SVP Airport & Airline Operations, Amadeus APAC said the business is excited to see its technology come to life at WSI, which is supporting the airport’s goals to deliver a seamless experience for passengers.
“It’s especially meaningful to see so much of this work being done here locally in Sydney. We are committed to our partners in Australia and look forward to working alongside WSI on delivering a smooth travel experience,” Ms Samuel said.
Assessing global trends
Micron Manufacturing Director Ed McMillan said WSI has provided ongoing work and enabled the business to continue training and employing local Western Sydney residents while investing in world-leading manufacturing technology.
“We are constantly assessing global trends in manufacturing technology and implementing it right here in Western Sydney so our skilled and experienced staff can be as productive as possible while delivering high quality outcomes for our customers,” Mr McMillan said.
“We employ many Western Sydney locals from various countries of origin who are really proud to contribute to such a major project and excited to soon hop on a plane and travel to see their extended families by using the infrastructure they have helped to create at WSI.”
Business Western Sydney Executive Director David Borger said the airport facilities under development at Micron Manufacturing are not just a testament to technological advancement but also a vote of confidence in the region’s local manufacturing prowess.
"Leveraging Micron Manufacturing’s state-of-the-art facilities and diverse team highlights Western Sydney's capability to lead in high-tech manufacturing and contribute to major infrastructure projects and it’s a clear signal of our region's growth and its pivotal role in shaping Australia's economic landscape,” Mr Borger said.
