Sydney Airport Controllers Raise Safety Concerns Over Fast-Tracked Airspace Changes

Air traffic controllers at Sydney’s main airport have warned the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that the airspace redesign intended to accommodate the new Western Sydney International Airport is being introduced without sufficient training.

The Guardian

In the weeks preceding the complaint, three safety incidents occurred at the airport, including a runway incursion that forced a Virgin Australia flight to abort take-off when a Qantas aircraft crossed the runway, and a near-collision on the tarmac involving a Jetstar flight and a Qatar Airways plane.

The Guardian

The whistleblower, an experienced controller, warned that staff are being asked to master roughly 1,000 pages of new training material without an adequate timetable.

The Guardian

The Sydney Terminal Control Unit emphasized that all new manuals and procedures have been “carefully developed and approved.” Federal transport minister Catherine King said CASA’s response was appropriate, announced new rostering practices to begin in September, and noted that a new simulator has been installed to boost training capacity. She added that six controllers are currently training, with another 15 expected to start before the end of 2027.

The Guardian

• “Relevant procedures and training were developed and reviewed by operational subject matter experts, standards personnel, and project teams prior to implementation,” — Casa — Casa

The Guardian