Just weeks after the Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek began commercial operations, families in surrounding suburbs say the noise from aircraft is making life unbearable.

“It’s absolutely horrible,” one local told reporter Nabil Al-Nashar. “We are only managing a few hours’ sleep a night since operations began.” The resident, who asked not to be named, described constant aircraft noise from early morning until late evening.

The airport, built to relieve pressure on Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, opened its first runway and terminal on schedule. It is expected to handle up to 10 million passengers annually in its initial phase, with projections of 80 million per year by full build-out.

Critics and community groups had long warned about noise impacts. During the planning stage, the Australian government and airport operator committed to a range of noise abatement measures, including curfews, noise insulation programs for homes, and flight path design intended to minimise disturbance over residential areas.

However, affected residents claim these measures have proven insufficient. “They told us there would be a curfew, but we hear planes well before 6am,” another local said. “The insulation program hasn’t even started in our street.”

Western Sydney Airport management said in a statement that it is committed to being a “good neighbour” and is monitoring noise levels continuously. “We have implemented a range of measures including noise-sharing flight paths and a voluntary curfew. We encourage any resident with concerns to contact our community noise hotline,” a spokesperson said.

The federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport has acknowledged the feedback, noting that noise monitoring stations have been installed across the region. “The first months of any new airport operation will involve fine-tuning flight paths and procedures,” a department representative said.

Aircraft noise experts say it can take several months for the true impact to be assessed. “Early operations often have higher-than-planned noise because airlines are testing routes and crews are unfamiliar,” said Dr. Elena Torres, an aviation acoustics researcher. “But the fundamental issue is that a major airport was built in a previously quiet region.”

For now, residents say they just want relief. “We know the airport is important for jobs and the economy, but we also need to sleep,” one mother of two said. “We can’t live like this.”