Western Sydney Airport has a one runway, oriented north-east/south-west.

Generally, aircraft land and take-off into the wind. Therefore, the prevailing wind conditions influence which runway direction is being used at any time during the day and evening. When Runway 05 is used, all aircraft arrive from the south-west and depart to the north-east. When Runway 23 is used, all aircraft arrive from the north-east and depart to the south-west. When Reciprocal Runway Operations (RRO) is in use, aircraft depart to the south-west and aircraft arrive from the south-west.

There are five different modes that the runway can be used in. There are different flight paths associated with the different runway modes. Maps showing these flight paths are shown below.

During the day time period (5:30am-11pm), there are two runway modes available:

• Runway 23 (day)
• Runway 05 (day)

Runway 23 (day)
Departing aircraft (in purple) take-off from Runway 23 in a south-westerly direction. Arriving aircraft (in yellow) land on Runway 23 approaching from the north-east.

Runway 05 (day)
Departing aircraft (in purple) take-off from Runway 05 in a North-easterly direction. Arriving aircraft (in yellow) land on Runway 23 approaching from the south-east.

During the overnight period (11pm to 5:30am), there are three runway modes available:

• Reciprocal Runway Operations (RRO)
• Runway 23 (night)
• Runway 05 (night)

Reciprocal Runway Operations (RRO)
Aircraft depart to the south-west (in purple) and aircraft arrive from the south-west (in yellow)

RRO is only available overnight and can only be used when very specific weather and traffic conditions are met. More information about RRO can be found in the factsheet here.

Runway 23 (night)
Departing aircraft (in purple) take-off from Runway 23 in a south-westerly direction. Arriving aircraft (in yellow) land on Runway 23 approaching from the north-east.

Runway 05 (night)
Departing aircraft (in purple) take-off from Runway 05 in a North-easterly direction. Arriving aircraft (in yellow) land on Runway 23 approaching from the south-east.