Australia’s Sydney Airport staff shortages prompt plan to close tower overnight

Major Australian airlines have endorsed a proposal to temporarily close Sydney Airport's control tower overnight, aiming to alleviate the ongoing air traffic controller shortage. This move follows a series of safety incidents at the airport since late July, which have disrupted flights and raised safety concerns. Stephen Beckett, CEO of Airlines for Australia & New Zealand, which includes Qantas Airways, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia Holdings, expressed support for the proposal, stating that it holds merit.

The issue has been a growing concern, with Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson calling for a resolution after 60,000 passengers were affected by delays in July alone. The proposal was discussed at a task force meeting formed last month to tackle the disruption at Sydney Airport. Despite the existing 11pm – 6am curfew, which minimally affects commercial air traffic, the plan would see the tower remain unmanned overnight, freeing up two controllers for daytime operations.

Airservices Australia, responsible for managing the country's airspace, is currently evaluating the proposal but has not yet received an application for approval. The agency emphasized that any changes to air traffic services at Sydney Airport would undergo rigorous safety assessments and regulator approval. The labour shortage is anticipated to worsen if Qantas' ground workers, involved in handling freight and regional flights, proceed with a planned strike over pay and working conditions.

The strike, scheduled to occur on Wednesday in Victoria and Thursday nationwide, could further impact Qantas' operations, given that the airline has already faced criticism for outsourcing jobs to avoid legal repercussions.