Sydney: Authorities are investigating a near-collision between two planes at Sydney Airport. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an official investigation after a Jetstar passenger plane and an empty Qatar Airways aircraft nearly collided on the taxiway at Sydney International Airport early this morning local time.
According to Thai News Agency, a Jetstar Airways A-320 passenger plane, flight JQ402, carrying 180 passengers, was preparing to depart for Gold Coast when it braked suddenly at an intersection around 7:00 AM. This was due to a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, unloaded and being towed by a ground cart, approaching dangerously close to the taxiway intersection. The sudden braking caused a Jetstar flight attendant to fall and sustain minor injuries requiring first aid. No passengers were injured, but the towing mechanism on the front landing gear of the Qatar Airways aircraft was damaged. The Jetstar captain informed passengers via the public address system that they narrowly avoided a collision and confirmed that the Jetstar aircraft strictly followed air traffic control instructions while crossing the runway before the other aircraft appeared.
This near-collision incident occurred amid a build-up of operational woes at Sydney Airport, stemming from a shortage of air traffic control personnel. Australia's air services authority has been forced to limit flight volume and strictly enforce runway spacing. This staffing shortage resulted in more than 150 flights at Sydney Airport being delayed or cancelled over Friday and Saturday.
This latest incident marks the second serious safety breach in quick succession. In late July, authorities launched an investigation into an air traffic control incident where a Qantas plane allowed a taxi to cut across the runway while another Qantas plane was preparing to land.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns expressed grave concern over the incident and urged the federal government to urgently address the shortage of air traffic controllers, which is impacting both safety and the economy.