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Detailed on the safety watchdog’s website, the report from an “experienced Air Traffic Controller” expresses concerns that the Sydney Terminal Control Unit (TCU) is “not ready to safely manage the impending complex airspace and procedure changes” implemented in July.
In its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for July 2026, Airservices said the Australian aviation industry has entered Financial Year 2026-2027 with “resilient demand and steady economic conditions despite ongoing global uncertainty”.
Tranche 2 of the Airways New Zealand IP VCS project will see Rohde & Schwarz replace existing ATC tower communication equipment with CERTIUM VCS, expanding on the system delivered to the ATC centre under the first tranche, which has operated since October 2023.
At a press conference in Canberra, Sharp told reporters that the tower controllers were experienced ATCs undergoing an endorsement process, and said Airservices had not believed the incident met the threshold for its mandatory reporting requirements.
The incident on 9 August saw Virgin Australia flight VA555 from Sydney to Perth, operated by VH-IJQ, abort take-off after Qantas flight QF728 from Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport, operated by VH-XZH, began crossing the runway ahead of it.
Speaking exclusively to Australian Aviation, Sharp said he feels Airservices should have around 1,200 air traffic controllers, and that current recruitment rates are the highest in its history. It comes as Airservices faces criticism for highly-publicised delays and near misses at Sydney Airport.
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