Sydney Airport (SYD) is not just Australia’s largest domestic and international gateway - it’s a major source of local jobs and opportunity for our surrounding communities.

SYD fast facts:

• 35,000 jobs on precinct
• 70% of workers are local residents
• 354,800 jobs supported in NSW
• 94% of suppliers in NSW
• 20% suppliers based within 10km of the airport

From Mascot and Botany to Rockdale, Bayside, the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs, SYD plays a vital role in supporting the local economy by creating jobs and backing the people and businesses that keep the airport running.

A family business marks 40 years with SYD

Behind the SYD departure board is a local story.

Family-owned and operated business, Snap Print Solutions Rockdale, is celebrating an incredible 40 years of working with SYD.

They are just one of the many local businesses and suppliers that keeps SYD operations running smoothly.

This long partnership started back in February 1986, with Snap Rockdale founders Allan and Jenny Edmondson rising before dawn to produce and personally hand deliver printed weekly flight schedules for incoming and outgoing flights. Well before the days of digital screens we have today!

Snap’s dedication and commitment built trust and their services to SYD expanded into stationery, from business cards to letterheads and envelopes, and they continue to provide this to SYD today. The Snap Rockdale team now also produce bright, engaging artwork and wayfinding signage across our domestic and international terminals, helping our passengers navigate the airport and bring special moments and celebrations to life.

Reflecting on how Snap Rockdale has grown

Four decades on, the business is now led by their son Craig and daughter Karen, with Allan and Jenny still lending their hands and hearts to the operation. As SYD has grown, so too has Snap Rockdale, which now employs 10 full time staff who all live locally.

Craig Edmondson, Centre Manager at Snap, says: "We really enjoy working with the SYD team on all sorts of projects and greatly value the relationship we have built over many years." “We don’t view SYD as just a customer, it's a deeper relationship that we have built together over the past 40 years.”

In celebration of the 40-year relationship, Craig reflects on the airport’s evolution over time: “SYD has continued to grow and develop, and we’ve been fortunate to be in the passenger seat alongside SYD throughout that journey. Seeing how it has changed over the years, while still supporting local businesses like us, has been incredible.”

Like many of us, the Edmondson family saw a huge shift at SYD when COVID19 hit Sydney and the globe. As the pandemic brought travel to a standstill in Sydney and around the world, they felt it in their business too – with revenue dropping significantly.

They continued providing their bit during this time, helping SYD with providing materials to host a NSW Health press conference at the terminal.

“Although we are not part of SYD,” Craig says, “we felt like SYD family and we still do”. That sense of connection gave them every reason to keep showing up and a reason to keep delivering, even in the toughest of times in lockdown.

The SYD sign

One of Snap Rockdale’s most recognisable contributions is the seasonal and cultural décor wrapped around our popular SYD sign at the T1 International forecourt, a creative piece that Craig and his team continue to deliver with care and pride.

The first SYD sign was back in February 2023, for World Pride in Sydney and Snap Rockdale continues to create memorable signs that passengers love.

One of Craig’s favourite SYD sign is the Hidden Disabilities design, pictured. He loves its bright colours and the way it gently invites curiosity from passengers, encouraging people to pause and ask questions if they’re unfamiliar with the sunflower symbol, and helping bring an important cause into focus.

Our appreciation to Snap

General Manager of Corporate Affairs at SYD, Josh Clements said: “We want to thank the team at Snap Rockdale for more than 40 years of outstanding work with SYD.”

“From printing and delivering our terminal departures flight schedules back in the 1980s to now installing signage during the overnight curfew to ensure everything is ready for passengers by morning, Snap Rockdale has supported us through major stages of our journey.

“Local businesses like Snap Rockdale play a critical role in SYD’s success and economic strength of our surrounding communities.”

Watch this incredible celebration of Snap Rockdale, including a ‘snap’ shot of the last 40 years (oh, how things have changed!)

SYD supports the local and NSW economy

While many might assume airports rely mainly on large national or multinational suppliers, the reality at SYD is very different. The airport is embedded in the local economy, partnering with small and medium sized enterprises across the state and the communities surrounding the airport. And our relationship with Snap Rockdale shows just that.

Last financial year, SYD worked directly with hundreds of NSW based suppliers. In fact, 94% of total supplier spending stayed right here in NSW, boosting local jobs, supporting small business operators, and contributing directly to the state’s economy.

Even more powerful is SYD’s positive impact on the suburbs closest to the airport.

20% of businesses SYD worked with last year were based within 10 kilometres of the airport. From specialist engineering teams in Alexandria, to food retailers in Mascot. The team at SYD is pleased to support many family-run businesses, tradespeople, designers, contractors, café owners, cleaners, event suppliers, creatives, safety professionals and more.

This local spend reflects SYD’s commitment to our local community. And we’re proud of it.