Two airport workers have been stood down after a Jetstar flight and a Qatar Airways plane almost collided at Sydney Airport on Sunday.
The Jetstar Airbus 320 pilot was preparing to depart for the Gold Coast at 7am when forced to brake suddenly to avoid the Qatari aircraft on the tarmac. The Qatar Airways Boeing 777 carried no passengers and was being towed by an aircraft tug when it sustained minor damage.
A Jetstar spokesperson said its aircraft was following instructions from air traffic controllers when pilots were forced to brake firmly as another aircraft came into "close proximity."
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said the series of disruptions over consecutive days at Sydney Airport, compounded by Sunday's near miss, were not good enough. She confirmed a meeting with Airservices Australia would take place on Monday.
"Airservices Australia needs to be better at managing these disruptions," King said. "They cause significant challenges to passengers, staff and airlines."
Safety bureau opens investigation
King would not elaborate on Sunday's low-speed near collision as the Australian Transport Safety Bureau launched an investigation into the incident.
Bureau commissioner Angus Mitchell said flight crew, tug operators, air traffic controllers and other witnesses would be interviewed, while relevant footage would be reviewed.
"It certainly is a serious incident.. this is the second one within two weeks," Mitchell told ABC News on Monday. "Whether it was a breakdown in communication, in actually getting the right message to the right people or the coordination of it, we're yet to ascertain."
A ground controller and a tug operator have both been stood down following the near miss.
Air traffic control staffing shortages
Air traffic control was reportedly operating under restricted hours between 6am and 8am on Sunday due to staffing shortages, reducing the number of flights arriving and departing.
Dozens of passengers were onboard the Jetstar flight. An injured Jetstar crew member received medical attention at the scene on Sunday, while no passengers were injured.
The union representing air traffic controllers, Civil Air Australia, has been contacted for comment. Sunday's incident followed delays to more than 150 flights passing through Sydney on Saturday as airport operations struggled due to a lack of personnel.
