SYDNEY'S KINGSFORD Smith Airport (KSA) and the new Sydney West Airport (SWA) at Badgerys Creek will be packaged together when operating leases come up for sale in 1996 under the Australian Government's plan for the privatisation of airports.
The lessee will have to agree to complete the development of SWA in readiness for the Olympic Games, to be hosted by Sydney in 2000, recovering development costs from a A$1.70 ($1.25) passenger levy at KSA.
Existing plans suggest a capacity of only 1 million passengers a year at SWA, although that is eventually due to rise to a planned 13 million as expansion continues.
During 1996, the Australian Government will also sell Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth airport operations.
The remainder of the country's 23 state-owned airports will be off-loaded in a second sale to take place during 1997/8.
Source: Flight International
