Skip to content

Overview

Future Procedure

This page documents future procedures that are scheduled to be introduced on 09 July 2026.

Pilots are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the incoming changes before launch day.

Summary of Changes

There are multiple significant changes being introduced in Australian airspace on 09 July 2026 (AIRAC 2607).

Control services are being introduced at two airports: Ballina Airport (YBNA) and the newly constructed Sydney/Nancy-Bird Walton (YSWS), significantly affecting operations in two of Australia's busiest TMAs.

Key 2607 Changes

Key AIRAC 2607 Changes

On this page you will find a summary of the changes and the procedures that will be introduced to support the new aerodromes.

Reference

You can find charts for all the new SIDs, STARs, and airspace volumes on the Airservices Australia AIP.

Questions?

A Q&A channel has been created on the VATPAC Discord, open to all members of the community. If you have any questions relating to these major changes, join the conversation!

Ballina Airport (YBNA)

Ballina Airport is a certified aerodrome on the northern New South Wales coast, near Byron Bay.

In the real world, Ballina Airport is a very busy aerodrome. It is used daily by regular commercial jet and turboprop passenger traffic, general aviation traffic, sight-seeing helicopters, and flying schools. It is one of very few airports in Australia to operate a local SFIS.

Beginning 09 July 2026, YBNA is becoming a controlled Class D airport.

Aerodrome

A new BA CTR is being established around YBNA, SFC-A015. This airspace will be the responsibility of a new ADC controller, BA ADC.

The airspace in the BA CTR will be classified as Class D.

Please see the Upcoming Ballina (YBNA) SOPs for full details about aerodrome operations.

TCU

Previously uncontrolled airspace surrounding YBNA is being reclassified:

  • Class D airspace will extend up to 20NM DME from YBNA, with lower level steps starting from A015
  • The lower level of Class C airspace up to 75NM DME YBCG is being lowered, as low as A045 overhead YBNA.

The Brisbane/Gold Coast TCU is being extended to cover the newly reclassified airspace. A new TCU controller, BAA ('Ballina Approach'), is being introduced as a child position of BAC, and will have primary responsibility for the area.

Sydney/Nancy-Bird Walton Airport (YSWS)

Sydney/Nancy-Bird Walton Airport is a newly constructed airport in Sydney's west, following a multi-billion dollar project designed to alleviate congestion at Sydney/Kingsford Smith (YSSY).

The airport is intended to operate without curfew restrictions and will be progressively expanded over the next fifty years as the aviation industry expands.

Beginning 09 July 2026, YSWS is becoming a controlled Class C airport.

Tip

Most people will be more familiar with the name Western Sydney Airport, or the IATA code WSI. To reduce ambiguity in radio communications, the airport is exclusively referred to as Nancy-Bird Walton Airport (or Walton for short) in all phraseology.

Phraseology

ML ACD: "YMA123, cleared to Nancy-Bird Walton via DOSEL, flight planned route."

Aerodrome

A new WS CTR is being established around YSWS, SFC-A015. The airport will be controlled by three new aerodrome positions: WS ADC, WS SMC, and WS ACD. The airspace in the WS CTR will be classified as Class C.

YSWS operates 24 hours a day. When WS ADC is offline, SY TCU will provide a top-down service to the aerodrome.

Please see the Upcoming Sydney/Nancy-Bird Walton (YSWS) SOPs for full details about aerodrome operations.

Airspace Changes

A number of airspace changes, both in the Sydney TMA and the surrounding enroute airspace, will be implemented to support the aerodrome changes.

Three new Sydney TMA control positions are being created:

  • Walton Approach (managing the airspace over YSWS and to the west)
  • Bankstown Approach (managing the Class D airspace north of YSBK)
  • Richmond Approach (managing the airspace over YSRI)

Additional changes are being made to enroute sectors like GUN, with a slight amendment to the airspace boundary. ARL is being split into two primary sectors to better manage the workload of controllers responsible for aircraft inbound to YSSY and YSWS from the north. ARL will continue to manage the airspace in the northwest of the existing sector, while a new position, MNN, is being created to manage the outbound aircraft to the north and aircraft inbound from the east.

Important

Pilots should utilise the VATPAC Airspace Map to ensure they are aware of the new sector boundaries. Programs like vatSpy and VATSIM Radar will be updated to reflect the new airspace boundaries.

Other Aerodrome Updates

Sydney (YSSY) Changes

Operations at Sydney (YSSY) are being adjusted to accommodate the new airport and associated aircraft movements.

  • The SIDs have been significantly adjusted, particularly the procedures for aircraft departing to the west. Some SIDs are being replaced entirely (such as the RIC or WOL SIDs), and a new non-jet SID is being introduced.
  • The Standard Assignable Departure Headings and Departure Frequencies are also changing.
  • The lateral boundaries of the SY ADC CTR are also changing to match new CTA boundaries.
  • The Erskineville and Georges River Helicopter Coded Clearances have been retired, as has the Harbour Scenic Two route.
  • The R405 restricted area (over Sydney Harbour & the Parramatta River) is being retired, replaced with R407. R407 has similar, but not identical, boundaries.

Please see the Upcoming Sydney (YSSY) SOPs for full details about aerodrome operations.

Bankstown Airport (YSBK) Changes

Bankstown (YSBK) is located between YSWS and YSSY, and the new controlled airspace in the area has led to profound changes to operations at the airport.

  • The Bankstown CTR has grown in size, and now adjoins newly introduced Class D airspace beneath the Class C steps in the SY TMA. This airspace will be controlled by SBA ('Bankstown Approach'), a SY TCU position.
  • All VFR movements should now be conducted via newly introduced coded clearances. These coded clearances give specific routes for aircraft to follow as they transit SBA airspace.
  • A new set of SIDs have been introduced to facilitate IFR departures.
  • All operations now require start approval from BK SMC

Please see the Upcoming Bankstown (YSBK) SOPs for full details about aerodrome operations.

Camden Airport (YSCN) Changes

Camden (YSCN) is located close to the southern boundary of the WS CTR.

  • MYF and BRY are no longer inbound VFR waypoints for YSCN.
  • During the hours of 23:00 and 06:00 Sydney local time, the volume of Class C airspace overhead YSCN is lowered from A045 to A015, precluding normal operations. For this reason, controllers are prohibited from logging on as either CN ADC or CN SMC during this time.

Please see the Upcoming Camden (YSCN) SOPs for full details about aerodrome operations.

Richmond Airport (YSRI) Changes

Richmond (YSRI) is located north of the WS CTR and is experiencing changes to its procedures.

  • The restricted areas over Richmond have been renumbered.
  • A new set of SIDs have been introduced, replacing all previous procedures.
  • RI ADC's airspace is changing to match its real world boundaries.

Please see the Upcoming Richmond (YSRI) SOPs for full details about aerodrome operations.