Australia’s major airlines have backed a proposal to close Sydney Airport’s control tower overnight, a move aimed at freeing up air traffic controllers for busier daytime operations as staffing shortages continue to disrupt flights and raise safety concerns. The plan would mostly leave scheduled commercial services unaffected because of Sydney’s 11pm to 6am curfew, though emergency and medical flights would still need handling.
Stephen Beckett, chief executive of Airlines for Australia & New Zealand, which represents Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia, has supported exploring the change. The practical aim is to redeploy two overnight controllers to day shifts, where roster gaps have been causing delays.
The proposal follows a run of operational problems at Sydney, including several recent safety incidents and a major delay event earlier in September when an unexpected controller absence caused widespread disruption. Airservices Australia is examining options to use its qualified workforce more efficiently, but any change would still require a safety assessment and regulatory approval. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has not yet received a formal application for the variation.