A Greek-Australian pilot from Blacktown made history yesterday when she captained the very first commercial passenger de...

A Greek-Australian pilot from Blacktown made history yesterday when she captained the very first commercial passenger departure from Western Sydney International Airport, one of Australia's biggest aviation milestones in decades. Aglaya Papadokokolakis was assigned to fly Jetstar flight JQ362, a sold-out service to the Gold Coast that lifted off at around 11:20 a.m. on October 25. Speaking to ABC ahead of the departure, she said it was "such an honour" and a moment she would remember for the rest of her career. The airport, officially named Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is located at Badgerys Creek and is the first major new airport to open to passengers in Australia in more than 50 years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was on hand to unveil a commemorative plaque as passengers, staff, and spectators gathered for the launch. The terminal is designed to handle around 10 million passengers a year in its initial phase. International services are already lined up, with Air New Zealand's Auckland route starting today and Singapore Airlines set to begin a daily Changi service next month. Papadokokolakis grew up in Blacktown, in the heart of western Sydney, making her connection to the airport's first flight especially fitting. Crowds lined roads outside the terminal to watch the historic takeoff. #GreekAustralian #Australia #Aviation