SIMON Hickey has been announced as the new chief executive of Western Sydney Airport.
He comes to the role with an extensive pedigree as a former Qantas International chief executive and Lendlease chief financial officer.
WSA chair Paul O’Sullivan said Mr Hickey would draw upon his more than 30 years of commercial, infrastructure and aviation experience.
“Western Sydney Airport has a very positive profile in local and overseas aviation markets, which led to a very high level of interest in the CEO role from candidates across the world,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“It’s a great outcome that we found the best person to lead one of the nation’s most significant infrastructure projects here in Australia.”
Mr Hickey said taking the reins of Western Sydney Airport as the project enters a critical stage of delivery will be a challenging and rewarding experience.
“Western Sydney International will mean that for the first time in Sydney, airlines and passengers will have a choice about which airport they want to use,” he said.
“Introducing choice to Sydney’s aviation market is a compelling proposition and one that will lead to stronger outcomes for passengers, airlines and air cargo operators.
“My focus will be not only on building the infrastructure, but on building the commercial proposition around passenger aviation, air cargo and our on-airport business park.
“This project is about so much more than terminals and runways, it’s the catalyst for jobs and investment in Western Sydney.”
Aside from roles with Qantas and Lendlease, Mr Hickey has served for more than a decade on the board of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and is currently its deputy chair.
Western Sydney International is on track to begin operations in late 2026.
