Western Sydney Airport has shortlisted five architectural teams, down from 40 applicants, in its bid for the international airport terminal design, which it plans to open in 2026.

Design Inc & Foster + Partners, Architectus, Gensler, SAA and Surbana Jurong, Cox and Zaha Hadid, Woods Bagot and RSHP, and Hassell and Pascall Watson represent the final five, a mixture of international and local talent.

The winning design will have to be scalable and include concepts for the Airport’s first and following stages, including the long term 82 million annual passenger development outlined in the 2060s.

Related: Western Sydney Airport Selects Architectus To Develop 191-Hectare Business Park

Western Sydney Airport chief executive Graham Millet said the design, which includes a plaza, a public transport interchange and integrated international and domestic passenger terminal, needs to ensure customers will have a “seamless experience and enjoyable environment”.

“Smart design will be the cornerstone of our vision to create an airport that passengers love using and that offers airlines an efficient, reliable product,” Millet said.

The five design teams will now create their vision for the airport precinct.

The Western Sydney airport was named in honour of Nancy-Bird Walton earlier this year, one of Australia's great aviation pioneers.

Construction on the major 1780 hectare site is well under way.

Western Sydney Airport recently entered into memorandum of understanding with the Qantas Group and Virgin Australia Group.

The memorandums will see the airlines provide insights that will feed into the airport design process.