NSW and federal police recently participated in a notable first at Australia’s newest international airport. The airport, formally known as Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport or WSI, is currently under construction and preparing to become operational in the second half of 2026

A two-day exercise was held on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October 2025 to test a full-scale aerodrome response to a simulated aircraft incident. At the centre of the exercise was a NSW Rural Fire Service Boeing 737 aircraft, which was the first jet plane to land at WSI. 

More than 300 police, emergency personnel and WSI staff, along with more than 50 vehicles, were involved in the exercise. It tested the roles and protocols of frontline agencies in areas such as immediate response, incident notification, forward command management, patient triage, disaster victim identification, welfare, crisis management and recovery operations.

WSI’s Chief Executive Officer Simon Hickey said before the exercise commenced:

“This will be the most significant simulation we’ve carried out to date and it’s a positive opportunity for our airport staff and all first responders to test our collective resources, protocols and general preparedness in a safe, controlled environment.”

“I thank the state and federal agencies for their close collaboration and the hundreds of community partners and local volunteers who’ve supported this week’s successful two-day program.”

POLICE INVOLVEMENT

Among the emergency services involved in the exercise were members of the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). 

The AFP is responsible for general policing within the precincts of the nation’s major airports and this responsibility will expand to WSI when it opens. AFP resources are finite though and the organisation relies on the support and capabilities of state police for major incidents at airports. 

AFP Detective Superintendent Clinton Smith said:

“Emergency exercises are invaluable opportunities for the AFP to prepare for policing operations once the airport opens in 2026. Today's exercise enables our members to familiarise themselves with the operational environment and connect and form working relationships with frontline partners involved in the response to these emergency incidents.

“The AFP looks forward to overseeing the security and ensuring the safety of the travelling public at Western Sydney International Airport."

NSWPF Superintendent Scott Tanner is the Liverpool City Police Area Commander as well as the Local Emergency Operations Controller for the district surrounding WSI. He said: 

“Staff from the NSW Police Force along with our emergency services partners will have our capabilities tested with the aim of ensuring a fast, smooth and effective response to a potential emergency.

“The public should be reassured that local crews will have best practice skills and exposure to real-time simulated emergencies, so we are prepared for the opening of the Western Sydney International Airport.”