Air traffic controller shortage disrupts Sydney Airport flights

Sydney Airport faced significant disruptions on Friday morning due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, according to Airservices Australia. The agency, responsible for managing Australia's air traffic, reported that around 14 inbound flights were canceled and delays of over an hour occurred. This was the latest in a series of disruptions at the nation's busiest airport as Airservices Australia grapples with staffing issues.

Deputy Chief Executive Peter Curran revealed that the agency had to implement measures to manage air traffic flows and minimize the impact on passenger travel. Curran noted that the shortage left little room to absorb unexpected absences, with only 41 out of 49 controllers needed to be operational. The issue stems from long-term absences and acute staffing challenges.

Airservices Australia is taking steps to recruit more air traffic controllers and increase flexibility in calling on additional staff. The incident comes amid investigations into several near-misses at the airport, raising concerns about staffing safety. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is examining these close calls to determine if they share common safety issues or contributing factors.