Sydney Airport is one of the world’s oldest continually operating airports, having launched our first flight in 1919. However, for at least sixty millennia before the airport came into being, thousands of generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived across today’s coastal area of Sydney, including in and around the land now occupied by Sydney Airport.

Acknowledgement of Country

Sydney Airport acknowledges the Dharawal People of Coastal Sydney who are the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waterways and skyways where we work and live.

We pay our respects to them, Elders past and present, and to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have made this area their home.

We recognise the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of First Nations peoples throughout Australia.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2024 - 2026

Our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan outlines how Sydney Airport is working to deliver key actions to further promote cultural awareness, offer economic and social opportunities to First Nations peoples, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of our decision making.

We are committed to embracing and learning from the rich cultures and histories of Australia’s First Nations peoples.

Artwork: This artwork was created for the Sydney Airport Reconciliation Action Plan by Aboriginal Artist Charmaine Mumbulla. The large circle at the centre of the artwork represents the busy, vibrant hub of Sydney Airport. Pathways weave and interconnect throughout this space showing connections, communities, gatherings, travel, trade and social interaction. The airport is surrounded by waterways, which were vital to trade, ceremony and cultural life of First Nations Australians.