No return on new Sydney airport until 2050

It could take until 2050 before a return on the Western Sydney Airport is seen, a Senate committee has been told.

The federal government's $5.3 billion investment to build Sydney's second airport isn't likely to generate a return until 2050.

The Western Sydney Airport will be based in Badgerys Creek on the city's outskirts and is scheduled to open in 2026.

The infrastructure department's Greg Whalen told a Senate hearing on Monday it would be 20 to 25 years after the airport opens before a return would be seen.