Preferred Design FAQs
Preferred Design FAQs
- reclassify a section of airspace southeast of Bankstown Airport to Class D (controlled) airspace between 1000 feet and 1500 feet (ft)
- introduce a new outbound VFR route for VFR aircraft departing to the southeast
- VFR aircraft using this outbound route will be between 1300ft and 1500ft.
- reclassifying a section of airspace southeast of Bankstown Airport to Class G (uncontrolled) airspace up to 1500 feet (457.2 metres), and
- introducing a two-way VFR corridor with both inbound and outbound lanes.
- Directly under/near the outbound route: Panania, Picnic Point, Revesby Heights, Alfords Point, Illawong, Bangor, Sutherland
- South of the route: Woronora, Woronora Heights, Loftus, Yarrawarrah, Engadine
- Further south (depending on flight direction/destination): Helensburgh and surrounding areas
- approximately 21 flights on an average day, and
- 35 flights on a busy day using the proposed outbound route.
- KSA departures overfly the area at an altitude of approximately 5000 feet, generating at-ground noise levels between 54 and 64 decibels.
- KSA arrivals overfly the area, at altitudes of above 6000 feet, generating at-ground noise levels of less than 60 decibels.
- communityengagement@airservicesaustralia.com
- Bankstown VFR Corridor, PO Box 211, MASCOT NSW 1460
What is the proposal for the airspace southeast of Bankstown Airport?
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is proposing to:
The proposed changes would allow VFR aircraft to depart Bankstown Airport in a southeasterly direction, via the newly proposed route, under clearance from Bankstown Airport Air Traffic Control (Bankstown ATC). Currently, VFR aircraft require clearance from Sydney Airport ATC (Sydney ATC) if they would like to use the airspace southeast of Bankstown Airport. VFR aircraft arriving at Bankstown Airport will continue to use one of the existing routes already servicing Bankstown Airport.
What are visual flight rules (VFR)?
Visual flight rules (VFR) is a method of flying commonly used by helicopters and light aircraft where the pilot uses visual reference to the ground or water to navigate their flight.
More information can be found in the Visual Flight Rules factsheet.
How is this proposed design different to the previous proposal?
The initial design presented in 2024 included:
Industry and community members provided their feedback on the initial design in 2024.
Although there was general support for the VFR corridor and recognition that the proposal would reduce congestion, safety concerns were raised regarding the low-level nature of the corridor, the two-way inbound and outbound configuration, and the likelihood of breaching controlled and restricted airspace nearby.
In response to the feedback, CASA amended the design to reclassifying the airspace southeast of Bankstown Airport to Class D (controlled) airspace between 1000 and 1500 ft and implementing a one-way outbound route only.
Why are these changes needed?
CASA has been monitoring the airspace and engaging with airspace users. This has allowed CASA to identify some potential improvements to airspace and route design to accommodate the ongoing growth in traffic and congestion to the north and west of Bankstown Airport.
The proposal is intended to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and provide more equitable access to airspace for aircraft operating to and from Bankstown Airport. Currently, VFR aircraft heading in a southeasterly direction must use the northern or western routes, creating congestion northwest of the airport. The proposed changes would provide a safer and more direct option, managed by Bankstown ATC.
It will also support the safety of operations to and from Bankstown Airport when Western Sydney International Airport begins operating later this year. If approved, CASA is planning to implement these changes by 9 July 2026, so that the changes are in place when WSI opens.
What areas will the proposed changes affect?
Currently, VFR aircraft wanting to utilise the area southeast of Bankstown Airport require clearance from Sydney ATC.
With the proposed changes, Bankstown ATC—not Sydney ATC—would manage aircraft departing southeast via the proposed outbound route. Bankstown ATC may have the capacity to provide clearance more often to VFR aircraft than Sydney ATC. Therefore, suburbs under and around the outbound VFR route may notice increases to VFR aircraft activity.
Suburbs likely to notice increased VFR aircraft activity include:
For more information, including the ability to search for a specific address in relation to the proposed changes, please use the interactive map function on the Engage Airservices webpage.
As VFR aircraft can navigate as they please, once they exit Class D (controlled) airspace (provided they stay out of restricted airspace), suburbs located on the south coast or inland, such as Helensburgh and surrounds, may notice changes to VFR activity in their area due to their proximity to the location of the proposal.
What about emergency service aircraft operations in the area?
Emergency Services will continue to operate in the area southeast of Bankstown Airport when required. With the new Class D (controlled) airspace between 1000 and 1500 ft, emergency services will likely operate below 1000 ft, while maintaining adequate separation with ground terrain and infrastructure as well as adequate lateral separation from VFR aircraft.
Can the location of the southeast outbound VFR route be changed?
Although there is space to the west of the proposed outbound VFR route, it was determined that the current position of the route would be the safest as emergency services frequently use the airspace west of the proposed outbound VFR route.
Although the emergency service aircraft usually fly lower than the VFR aircraft, the proposed position of the outbound VFR route is the best option to minimise the potential for overlap.
The current position of the outbound route also means that VFR aircraft are further away from the Holsworthy military restricted airspace located towards the western side of the proposed airspace change area.
Who will be using the southeast outbound VFR route?
The route is intended for aircraft flying under VFR and will be used during daylight hours only, due to the 1500 feet altitude limit.
Will there be aircraft flying over my house at night-time?
Generally, no. At night, minimum safe altitudes around Bankstown Airport exceed 1500ft, meaning, VFR aircraft will only be allowed to use the reclassified section of Class D (controlled) airspace during daylight hours. To fly safely in the same airspace at nighttime, VFR aircraft would need Sydney ATC clearance to operate at an altitude above 1500 feet.
Some emergency service aircraft, equipped for night operations, may use the area at or below 1500 feet at nighttime.
What are the expected flight movements each day?
The updated Environmental Impact Statement (EIA) forecasts:
Most VFR aircraft movements would occur during the day.
The area also experiences approximately 281 departure and arrival flights to/from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (KSA) each day at higher altitudes.
More information about expected flight numbers and common aircraft types can be found in the updated EIA.
Are there any predicted changes in noise noticeability for the community?
Currently:
Should the proposal be implemented, VFR aircraft using the outbound route are expected to generate an average at-ground noise level of approximately 57 decibels and peaking at approximately 61 decibels. These levels are similar to existing KSA overflight noise.
This estimation is based on the most common fixed-wing aircraft operating to and from Bankstown Airport flying at an altitude between 1300 feet and 1500 feet.
More information about noise and common aircraft types can be found in the updated EIA.
Are there any constraints with the location of the southeast outbound VFR route?
The outbound VFR route is positioned between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (KSA) controlled airspace to the east and Holsworthy military restricted airspace to the west.
The design maximises separation from restricted areas to reduce the risk of airspace incursions – addressing feedback during earlier stakeholder and community consultation.
In restricted airspace, aircraft movements are only permitted for aircraft with certain specified permissions. Examples of restricted airspace include military installations (Holsworthy Army Barracks) and Nuclear Power Plants (Lucas Heights). Restricted airspace may also be imposed by police for safety or security reasons near bushfires or major crime scenes. CASA’s Office of Airspace Regulation is responsible for restricted airspace classification.
The maximum altitude for aircraft using the outbound VFR route is limited to protect KSA arrivals and departures under international aviation separation standards.
Where is the community engagement process up to?
Airservices is supporting CASA by conducting community engagement per Airservices’ Community Engagement Standard. We are currently consulting on the preferred design and are inviting community feedback until Sunday 31 May 2026.
Community and industry engagement on the initial design was completed in late 2024. A summary of the feedback received from the community during this phase can be found in the Bankstown Airport Southeast VFR Corridor Step Two Community Engagement summary. Industry engagement on the initial design was undertaken by CASA at the same time. Community and industry feedback received on the initial design was used to inform the design of the current proposal.
What are the next steps?
CASA is responsible for assessing the proposal under the Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) process in accordance with the Airspace Act 2007. If there are no further changes to the design, it is expected that the new corridor will be implemented on 9 July 2026, so it is in place when WSI opens. The community will be notified of the decision prior to this time.
Feedback from the community on the preferred design will be considered, and a Community Engagement Report detailing the feedback will be published.
How can I receive updates about the project?
To stay updated on the project, please subscribe to our mailing list by providing your email in the “stay informed” box on the project webpage.
Who can I contact about the project?
You can contact Airservices community engagement team or provide your feedback using the feedback form on the project webpage or via email or post: