The new Western Sydney Airport will be named after Australia’s first female pilot.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the Badgery’s Creek airport will honour Nancy-Bird Walton, the Commonwealth’s first female commercial pilot.

The $5.3-billion airport will officially become Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

Nancy-Bird was born on the mid-north coast of NSW in 1915.

At age 17 she became a student at Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s flying school at Mascot, and qualified as a pilot at age 19.

She became known as the “Angel of the Outback” for her work providing medical transfers for patients in isolated areas of NSW.

Mr Morrison says the new name honours Australia’s “greatest female aviation pioneer”.

“I’m sure this hero of the Australian skies would be proud that the airport named in her honour will be providing much opportunity and enrichment to the workers and families of Western Sydney.”

The airport is due for completion by December 2026.