Transport watchdog investigates another near miss at Sydney airport
Summary
Australia’s transport safety agency is investigating a second near-collision between planes at Sydney airport that happened on the same day as another close call. The incidents have highlighted a shortage of air traffic controllers, which is causing safety concerns and delays at the country’s busiest airport.Key Facts
- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating a second runway incident on August 9 involving two planes nearly colliding at Sydney airport.
- A Virgin Australia flight had to stop take-off when a Qantas plane started crossing the runway ahead.
- Both planes involved were Boeing 737 aircraft headed to Perth and Ayers Rock.
- The Qantas crew said they were cleared by air traffic controllers to cross the runway.
- Earlier the same day, another near-miss happened between a Jetstar plane and a Qatar Airways plane on the tarmac.
- A third similar incident occurred at Sydney on July 27 involving two Qantas planes.
- Airservices Australia, which manages the country’s air traffic control, cites a shortage of controllers caused by many leaving during a pandemic incentive program in 2021.
- New air traffic controllers require 18 months of training and passing a difficult test, slowing staff replacement.
- The government is concerned and working with Airservices to improve the situation, expecting 95 new controllers to be certified by year-end.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
