Australian officials are in talks with Air India (AI) and IndiGo (6E) to add more direct flights from India to Sydney. These discussions are happening as the number of Indian tourists visiting Australia continues to grow at a fast pace.
The new Western Sydney International Airport is almost ready, with the first runway trials complete. It is expected to open by late 2026. Australian officials want Indian airlines to start flights to this airport once they have new planes.
Australia Focuses on More Flights from India
The Western Sydney International Airport will make travel between India and Australia easier. The airport is located near Parramatta, a place with many Indian residents. Unlike the current Sydney Airport, which has a curfew from 11 PM to 6 AM, the new airport will be open 24 hours a day.
Right now, there are only two direct flight options from India to Sydney. Air India runs daily flights from Delhi to Sydney using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and Qantas operates daily flights from Bengaluru to Sydney with Airbus A330-300 planes.
If both Air India and IndiGo add services to the new airport, it will double the number of direct flights between India and Sydney once the new airport opens.
Indian travelers can also fly to Sydney with connecting flights from airlines like Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Scoot, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Sri Lankan Airlines, which connect through different cities in India.
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Changes in Travel Preferences of Indian Tourists
There has been a big shift in the way Indian tourists travel to Australia. Samar Chokshi, Country Manager-India for Destination NSW, told Hindu Businessline that more Indian travelers are now choosing premium options like business class first. In the past, they would only choose business class if economy class was full.
This trend is not just seen in big cities but also in smaller Indian cities. Travelers from these places are now spending more and looking for better travel experiences.
Tourists are staying longer in Australia, moving from the usual 3-4 nights to 7-8 nights. They are also spending more on accommodations, food, drinks, and local experiences instead of rushing through sightseeing.
“Travel has become less about ticking boxes and more about experiencing deeper cultural and natural connections,” said Chokshi. “Sydney offers a lot of these authentic experiences.”
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Strong Growth in Indian Tourism to Australia
The number of Indian tourists visiting Australia has grown strongly, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. India was the first country to bounce back after Australia reopened its borders, and now there are two to three times more visitors than before the pandemic.
This growth continues, with more Indian tourists spending more money on premium experiences, like $1,000 per night hotel rooms and $150 dining experiences, which were once considered special but are now common.
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