The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released four preliminary reports into six aircraft coordination and conflict incidents at Sydney Airport in July and August, including a Category A runway incursion involving a Qantas Boeing 737 and a QantasLink Dash 8, as well as a Jetstar A320 proximity event involving a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 under tow. The reports also cover a runway incursion and rejected take-off involving a Qantas Boeing 737 and a Virgin 737, and a taxiing conflict between a Qantas A321 and a Qantas Boeing 737.
The July 27 runway incursion was assessed as the most serious severity level, with the aircraft coming to rest about 120 metres apart. In the 9 August Jetstar event, abrupt braking led to a flight attendant falling and fracturing a wrist. The bureau has not drawn conclusions yet, with final reports due after the investigations conclude.
A separate ATSB data review released the same day found Sydney Airport recorded the highest post-COVID runway and taxiway conflict rate among Australia’s five busiest airports, at about 20% above the group average. Staffing levels and fatigue risks in Sydney Tower have emerged repeatedly in the investigations, while CASA has assessed that none of the incidents point to an immediate safety risk to the travelling public.