News / Toll and Dnata the latest freight firms to sign up to use new Sydney airport

Western Sydney Airport CEO Graham Millett,Terrence Yong of Dnata and Noel Prosser of Toll Group during the WSA memorandum of understanding event at Western Sydney Airport, Thursday, 23 January 2020. Picture - WSA

Toll and Dnata have become the latest cargo companies to join the Western Sydney Airport freight hub project.

The pair join 10 others which have agreed to provide input for the development and design of cargo facilities at the new airport, scheduled to open in 2026.

Stage one will give the airport 220,000 tonnes of air cargo capacity annually, building to an eventual 1.8m tonnes.

“This freight precinct has the potential to become Sydney’s most important freight hub, generating thousands of jobs, and we’re thrilled to have two of the industry’s leaders, Dnata and Toll Group, on board,” said the airport’s chief executive, Graham Millett.

“For freight companies, the new airport will be an enticing proposition: we can offer landside and airside freight access on a greenfield site with 24/7 operations. Our MoU partners can share with us the size of facility they need, what technology they want and how they need it designed to optimise productivity.”

The airport, which could become one of Australia’s largest, will target the increased international demand for the country’s fresh produce, and will have a focus on temperature-sensitive and perishable products.

“For producers across the region, and beyond into New South Wales, many of which are small-to-medium and family-owned, Western Sydney International’s 24/7 operation will be key to growing their business by unlocking lucrative Asian fresh produce markets,” said Mr Millett.

The Australian government is investing up to $5.3bn to deliver the airport, via a government-owned company, Western Sydney Airport. It will operate curfew-free, delivering international, domestic and freight services, it said, and will open with one 3.7 km runway.

The airport has already signed MoUs with Australia Post, DB Schenker, DHL Express, DSV Air and Sea, FedEx, Menzies Aviation, Swissport, Qantas Freight, Skyroad Logistics and Wymap.

Toll Group general manager aviation, Noel Prosser said: “As one of the leading operators of domestic air freight in Australia, Toll is delighted to be sharing its expertise with Western Sydney Airport. We recognise the significant opportunity this creates to service our customers and meet the demands of our freight operations.”

Dnata’s head of cargo, Terence Yong, said the company was “excited to help shape the future of freight”, adding: “This partnership enables Dnata to fulfil its strategy of providing the highest level of customer service, as well as offering the most innovative solutions to the market.”