Australia see spike in near-misses amid air traffic controller shortage
Australia’s shortage of air traffic controllers is showing signs of nearing a breaking point after the country’s busiest airport recorded at least four near misses in the past month. Since late July, incidents at Sydney Airport included a passenger jet aborting its take-off because there was a plane in its path. In a separate close call, an aircraft that was taxiing had to slam on the brakes to…
Australia's shortage of air traffic controllers is causing growing concerns at the country's busiest airport, Sydney Airport. Since late July, there have been at least four near misses involving passenger jets and other aircraft. These incidents include a passenger jet aborting its take-off because of another plane in its path, and a taxiing aircraft having to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision.
Air traffic control staffing levels are not sufficient to meet demand, according to Andrew Marshall, president of the Australian and International Pilots Association. The shortage is due to the lengthy training period required for new recruits, and the problem is becoming increasingly urgent as flight demand continues to rise. Aviation training provider CAE predicts that more than 70,000 new controllers will be needed globally by 2034.
The lack of controllers has led to safety concerns, with some controllers at Sydney Airport expressing "grave concerns" about safety. In June, an experienced air traffic controller drew comparisons to the months before a mid-air collision that killed 67 people in January 2025. The recent incidents at Sydney Airport have highlighted the urgent need for more air traffic controllers, including the use of tools like artificial intelligence to help manage routine tasks and prevent conflicts.
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