Sydney Airport flights disrupted due to air traffic controller shortage

Sydney Airport experienced disruptions on Friday morning due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, according to federal agency Airservices Australia. The agency described the staffing situation as "a bit insane" and imposed measures to manage air traffic flows, resulting in around 14 cancellations of inbound flights and delays of more than an hour.

Deputy Chief Executive Peter Curran acknowledged the unplanned absenteeism and the impact on safety. Airservices Australia lifted the air traffic measures by 8:15 am (10:15 pm GMT on Thursday) once conditions improved, though minor delays persisted throughout the morning. The agency is actively recruiting more controllers and enhancing its ability to call on additional staff when necessary.

In July, Reuters reported that controllers on duty during a near-collision between two Qantas aircraft had been flagged for high fatigue risk. This incident is one of six near-misses at Sydney Airport in the past month, leading to increased scrutiny of air traffic control staffing amid global shortages. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the near-misses to determine any common safety issues or contributing factors.