Flights canceled and delayed in Sydney due to controller shortage — Channel NewsAsia
Several flights were canceled and departures delayed at Sydney Airport in Australia on the morning of September 11 due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Federal agency Airservices Australia introduced air traffic flow restrictions to safely manage the workload.
Restrictions lifted in the morning
As Channel NewsAsia reports, Airservices Australia explained the decision by limitations in staff duty schedules. The air traffic management measures were lifted at 8:15 a.m. after the situation improved, but delays of up to 10 minutes were still expected by the end of the morning.
A spokesperson for the agency said the measures introduced could disrupt airline schedules. Airservices Australia is working with carriers to reduce delays and minimize their impact on passengers. The agency also said it is taking steps to recruit additional air traffic controllers and make it easier to bring in staff when needed.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Qantas delays and safety review
Some Qantas flights were delayed by more than an hour, while another six flights were canceled. Sydney Airport's website did not specify the reason for the delays, and an airport spokesperson directed inquiries to Airservices Australia.
The disruption occurred on the day when Airservices Australia Chief Executive Rob Sharp and other executives were due to appear before an Australian Senate committee. The committee is examining the state of the aviation sector and its ability to provide reliable and affordable services to regional areas.
Last week, Reuters, citing internal documents and a recording of a conversation, reported that several controllers on duty during a near collision of two Qantas aircraft in July had been flagged as workers at high risk of fatigue. The incident was the first of six dangerous close approaches at Sydney Airport over about a month. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incidents to determine whether they had common safety issues or contributing factors.
