Fatigue among air traffic controllers is being investigated as one of the reasons for near misses on airport runways this year, the transport bureau has revealed.
Between July and August, Sydney Airport narrowly avoided four collisions on runways, including one in which a jet was damaged and unable to turn around.
Ground staff and pilots had to act on each occasion to ensure a major collision did not occur.
In one incident, a flight attendant fractured their wrist after being knocked off their feet.
"Based on information detailed in our preliminary reports, staff resourcing within Sydney Tower at the time of many of the occurrences has emerged as a recurring area of enquiry," Australia Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
"We recognise that air traffic control systems are under strain globally, and I acknowledge the professionalism, training, and commitment of air traffic controllers."
He detailed a near miss in which an air traffic controller was sent for a break and had completed handover just seven seconds before the incident occurred.
Post-COVID fatigue and staffing arrangements are being investigated as a growing trend across Australian airports.
That did not necessarily mean traffic controllers felt fatigued or that it was affecting their work, but rather that mathematical equations on staffing levels meant they could be, the safety bureau said.
The incidents at Sydney Airport are being examined to help understand how to fix issues across the country.
Sydney had a 20 per cent higher incident rate than other major Australian airports.
“The air traffic control challenges facing Sydney Airport are widely recognised, and I am encouraged by the work under way to address them,” Mr Mitchell said.
The Department of Infrastructure and Civil Aviation Safety Authority is working to improve aviation safety, particularly as new air traffic controllers are trained.
The final report on the incidents are set to be released in coming months.
