Our time is now: New airport takes flight across history-making weekend

Key points

• Western Sydney International Airport will welcome its first passenger flight this Sunday, a milestone for western Sydney after decades of planning. The airport will be New South Wales' first 24/7 international airport.
• Its chief executive, Simon Hickey, said the opening gives local residents shorter travel times and more job opportunities. The first passenger flight departs for the Gold Coast at 11am, while the first international flight heads to New Zealand on Monday at 8.55am.
• Academics say the airport's economic benefits must be shared across the region.