Runways to riches? Western Sydney's billion-dollar bet

Key points

• Western Sydney International Airport opens to passengers on Sunday, with flights operating around the clock. The $5.3 billion public project is designed to handle up to 10 million passengers a year.
• University of Sydney academic Rico Merkert says the airport could take 10 years to become profitable and may need subsidies until then.
• Government and business leaders hope the airport will anchor an economic hub that attracts industry and jobs to the region, supported by new transport links and the planned city of Bradfield.