Arabic version: حوادث في مطار سيدني تثير تحذيرات بشأن السلامة

According to ABC News, three runway-related incidents at Sydney Airport in as many weeks are under investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Retired commercial pilot and former aviation safety investigator Geoff Klouth said the issues could have “catastrophic” consequences if they are not fixed quickly.

The latest incident occurred on August 9, when Virgin Australia flight VA555 to Perth had its take-off clearance rescinded soon after it was given. The ATSB said Qantas flight QF728 began crossing the runway after also receiving clearance. The aircraft were more than 1,200 metres apart. Earlier that day, a Jetstar A320 braked suddenly to avoid a Boeing 777 operated by Qatar Airways that was under tow, injuring a Jetstar cabin crew worker. On July 27, a Qantas Link flight and a Qantas aircraft were involved in a near-miss on the tarmac.

Mr Klouth, whose aviation career included 35 years with commercial airlines and 18 months as a senior ATSB safety investigator, said reduced air traffic controller staffing and diminishing processes had weakened support for pilots. He said controllers handling multiple tasks or working repeatedly on days off could be affected by fatigue. “It’s only luck preventing the aircraft coming together because the system is not working at present,” he said.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said multiple layers of defence had prevented the three events from escalating and that accidents rarely result from a single point of failure. Airservices Australia chief executive Rob Sharp said initial reviews had not found systemic issues compromising passenger safety. Transport Minister Catherine King said 95 people were expected to be endorsed as air traffic controllers by the end of the year, while six controllers were training in Sydney Tower and another 15 were expected to begin before the end of 2027.