iscover
The travelling public is not at immediate risk despite recent “near-misses” on Sydney Airport’s runways, a working group has said.
The Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control Working Group, which was first convened last month, aims to continue “collaborative engagement” on the recent disruptions and safety occurrences connected to issues at Sydney tower control.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
In a communique, the working group’s chair, Deputy Secretary for Transport at the Department of Transport and Infrastructure Rachel Parry, said safety “remains the highest priority for all members of the Working Group”.
“The aviation safety system is designed to manage operational risks through multiple safeguards and, based on the information currently available, the recent occurrences do not indicate an immediate safety risk to the travelling public,” she said.
“The service disruptions and recent safety occurrences relating to air traffic control at Sydney Airport, which are being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, reinforce the need for coordinated action to address complex workforce pressures and operational challenges at Sydney Airport Air Traffic Control (ATC).
“Members noted that successful implementation of Airservices Australia’s plans to improve the resilience of the Sydney Airport ATC will be critical to addressing these challenges and maintaining confidence in the safety, resilience and efficiency of the aviation system.”
Airservices has said it has a detailed plan to improve resilience at Sydney tower, and is recruiting more air traffic controllers to fill staffing shortfalls.
“Members reiterated the importance of independent oversight of Airservices’ actions to ensure implementation of the Sydney service resilience plan remains on track and addresses the identified issues in a timely and enduring way. The Working Group is one mechanism to provide a level of independent oversight,” wrote Parry.
“The Working Group acknowledged the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s work to look closely into air traffic control at Sydney Tower which will focus on whether there are any underlying operational or system issues that could affect safety.
“Members acknowledged the constructive and collaborative approach taken across the Working Group to support Airservices in addressing the workforce pressures and operational challenges affecting Sydney Airport ATC.
“The Working Group also acknowledges the professionalism and commitment of the staff on the front lines of aviation, including those in the air traffic control tower and terminal control unit, whose work is critical to maintaining safe and reliable operations for the travelling public.”
The Working Group comprises senior representatives from Airservices Australia; Airlines for Australia and New Zealand; CASA; Civil Air; Sydney Airport Corporation; the Transport Workers Union; the Department of Transport and Infrastructure; and the Minister’s Office.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
