Australia transport safety regulator probes two more incidents at Sydney airport

Australia's transport safety regulator, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), has launched two investigations into taxiing conflicts at Sydney airport. These incidents occurred on August 16 and August 25, involving a Virgin 737, a Qantas 737, a Jetstar A320, and a Bombardier Dash 8.

On August 16, a taxiing Virgin 737 was instructed by air traffic control to yield the right of way to a Qantas 737 on the runway. However, the instruction was not read back correctly and went unnoticed by controllers. The ATSB stated that there was no immediate risk of collision as the flight and ground crews took steps to avoid conflict.

The second incident on August 25 involved incomplete traffic information provided to a Jetstar A320, which resulted in a conflict with a taxiing Bombardier Dash 8. The ATSB has characterized both events as safety incidents rather than serious incidents, emphasizing that the flight and ground crews responded effectively to prevent a collision.

The two investigations are being conducted separately but with coordinating teams. They may be expanded or combined later, depending on the evidence gathered. The ATSB anticipates releasing preliminary reports on both investigations within six to eight weeks.

Virgin and Qantas, which also owns Jetstar, have expressed their support for the ATSB's investigations. The regulator is already probing four similar incidents at Sydney airport, including one that resulted in an injury to a member of a plane's cabin crew.