Topic overview
In brief
- Two Qantas planes were involved in a near-miss incident at Sydney Airport on July 27, prompting an investigation by the ATSB.
- The ATSB described the incident as a 'breakdown of co-ordination' between air traffic control and the aircraft.
- Concerns have been raised about Airservices Australia's staffing shortages, which have led to multiple flight disruptions recently.
Summary
Two Qantas planes were reportedly involved in a near-miss incident at Sydney Airport, which has prompted an urgent investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The incident occurred on July 27, when a Qantas jet was cleared to cross the main runway while a QantasLink flight was landing. The ATSB described the situation as a 'breakdown of co-ordination' between air traffic control and the aircraft involved. Both planes were reportedly following instructions from Airservices Australia air traffic controllers, and the investigation will include interviews with air traffic controllers and pilots, as well as the retrieval of recorded data.
The incident has raised concerns about the operational effectiveness of Airservices Australia, particularly in light of recent staffing shortages that have led to multiple flight disruptions. Airlines and airport operators have expressed their frustrations over ongoing delays and cancellations attributed to these staffing issues. The ATSB's investigation is expected to be completed by the end of the year, but independent confirmation of the details surrounding the incident remains limited.