Key facts
- A Jetstar and Qatar Airways plane narrowly avoided a collision at Sydney Airport on Sunday morning.
- The incident involved a tug vehicle and occurred on a taxiway, causing a cabin crew member to be injured.
- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the near-miss.
- The event has drawn attention to reported staffing shortages among air traffic controllers at the airport.
- The incident led to flight cancellations and significant delays.
A Jetstar and a Qatar Airways aircraft narrowly avoided a collision on the tarmac at Sydney Airport early Sunday morning, an incident that has amplified concerns over critical staffing shortages within air traffic control. The near-miss occurred around 7 a.m. when a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, being towed by a tug vehicle, came into close proximity with a taxiing Jetstar A320. Pilots on the Jetstar flight initiated a firm braking maneuver to avoid a collision.
Sources suggest the tug vehicle may not have adhered to air traffic control instructions. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has confirmed it is investigating the event, which resulted in an injury to a cabin crew member on the Jetstar aircraft and damage to the connection between the 777's nose gear and the tug. Investigators are set to interview flight crew, tug operators, air traffic controllers, and other witnesses, and will review CCTV footage.
Airservices Australia acknowledged the safety incident and stated it is working to manage reduced air traffic movements and minimize passenger disruption. This event follows a weekend of significant flight delays at Sydney Airport, with over 150 flights delayed on Saturday and more than 120 on Friday, attributed to staffing shortages. Stephen Beckett, chief executive of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand, reported that Airservices Australia has struggled to roster adequate staff for three consecutive days.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns expressed his concern regarding the safety implications and the airport's operational capacity, emphasizing its importance to the state's economy. He highlighted the necessity of recruiting more air traffic controllers, particularly in light of plans for a new airport in Western Sydney, and noted the challenges posed by a tight labor market for specialized roles.