00:02It took 10,000 workers, 5.6 billion dollars and nearly eight years to complete Western
00:10Sydney International Airport and now it's ready.
00:14From today, WSI is open for business.
00:19With a welcome to country and water cannon, the airport and its staff can now officially
00:25spread their wings.
00:26This is the gateway to the world and the Western Sydney gateway is now officially open with
00:32freight flights moving goods, posts and produce around the country and across the globe.
00:37The airport's cargo precinct is promising to generate thousands of jobs and bring in billions
00:43of dollars in export revenue.
00:45Think beef from Riverina, cherries from Young, blueberries from Coffs Harbour, oysters from
00:50the Hawkesbury, seafood from Foster.
00:52Behind me are some of the 12 Qantas flights carrying 165,000 parcels to various destinations
00:59around the country, marking their maiden voyages out of Western Sydney International tonight,
01:05which officials say is only the beginning as the precinct grows to its full capacity, serving
01:10up to 1.8 million tons of air cargo annually.
01:14The 24-hour precedent will give us greater flexibility, more capacity and a platform for future growth,
01:21but also future economic activity.
01:23The first passenger flights take off in October.
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