In June 2002, Southern Cross Cooperation won the bidding for the privatization of Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd. The private owners acquired 100 percent of the stock of the airport company. In addition to HTA and HTAC, the investors include a number of Macquarie Airports (MAp) infrastructure funds and the Ontario Teachers' Australia Trust.

Since then, HOCHTIEF AirPort has been advising the airport company regarding its further development. The objective is to make the airport even more attractive for passengers, customers and service-providers.

The airport, named after aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith, has received numerous awards for its service and the range of what it offers. In 2009, the Conde Nast Traveller magazine – in its Readers' Choice Awards – voted Sydney the ninth-best airport in the world.