Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

Mr Simon Hickey has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Western Sydney Airport (WSA Co) for the next five years.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge welcomed the WSA Co Board’s decision to appoint Mr Hickey.

Mr Hickey has more than 30 years’ experience in commercial, aviation, and construction roles, including executive roles at Qantas and Lendlease.

“Mr Hickey’s extensive expertise will help him lead WSA Co as it undertakes the significant task of building the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport,” Minister Cormann said.

 “The project is already creating jobs in the Western Sydney region, including 11,000 jobs during the construction phase and growing to 28,000 within the first five years of its opening in 2026.”

 “Western Sydney International is a once-in-a-generation project that will change the economic landscape of Western Sydney now, and into the future,” Minister Tudge said.

“We look forward to working closely with Mr Hickey to realise these crucial economic benefits as we work towards Western Sydney International taking flight.”

“I’d like to extend our thanks to Mr Graham Millett for his time as inaugural Chief Executive Officer of WSA Co. Under Mr Millett’s leadership, WSA made significant progress on the development of the Airport.”

“We also thank Mr Jim Tragotsalos for his contribution as interim Chief Executive Officer. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Jim as a valued member of the WSA Co management team.”