Significant changes to airspace across the Sydney Basin take effect on 9 July 2026, ahead of the opening of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) later this month.
With four neighbouring control zones now operating across the region, pilots flying in and around Sydney need to act before the changeover date.
What's changing
From 9 July, the Sydney Basin will have four control zones operating side by side: WSI with new Class C airspace, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport retaining Class C with redefined boundaries, and Bankstown and Camden airports both Class D.
At Bankstown, the changes are extensive. The control zone extends northwest, a new control step is added above from 1,500 ft to 2,000 ft, a new southwest control area supports VFR movements between Bankstown and Camden, and a new east-west control area to the north facilitates VFR transit between Penrith and northern routes. VFR routes to the southwest will move further south, and a new one-way departure route to the southeast has been added, detailed in AIP Supplement H87/26.
At Camden, a square volume of Class C airspace is added above 4,500 ft. Between 2300 and 0600 daily, normally Class G airspace drops to Class C from 1,500 ft to support WSI movements.
Several restricted areas near Richmond are also being renumbered and reboundaried, and Sydney Harbour's R405AB will be combined into a single area renamed R407B, with a new R407A introduced nearby.
What you need to do before 9 July
Review the updated Sydney Visual Terminal Chart, ERSA entries and relevant AIP publications — particularly AIP SUP H87/26. Learn the new control zone boundaries and VFR routes before you fly, not during.
Update your EFB, charts and databases and verify updates are available offline. Check your aircraft has a serviceable transponder if operating in the new Class D airspace.
Before each flight, check NOTAMs and your aerodrome ERSA entry, plan your route, altitude and radio calls, and practise using coded clearances if operating near Bankstown. Know how to file a flight plan for Class C or Class D operations.
Drone operators should check a CASA-verified drone safety app before flying to confirm where approval is required.
Airservices Australia has also published an updated Sydney General Flying Guide (SGFG) effective 9 July 2026, which charts the new control zone boundaries, VFR routes, clearance requirements and caution areas across the Basin.
The updated chart is available now via the Airservices AIP pending publications page and should be downloaded and reviewed before any flight in the Sydney Basin from 9 July.
Further information is available at casa.gov.au/sydney-airspace-change