Airlines back Sydney airport tower closure to ease controller shortage
Major airlines back closing Sydney Airport's control tower at night to ease controller shortages.
Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia back a plan to close Sydney Airport's control tower at night to free two controllers for day shifts where shortages are most acute. At least six safety incidents have occurred at Sydney since late July.
In July alone, 60,000 passengers faced flight delays. The airport already has an 11pm-6am curfew.
So commercial air traffic would barely be affected. Emergency and medical flights would need to land without tower support.
CASA, the aviation regulator, has not yet received an application. But it said any changes would need thorough safety checks.
- At least 6 since late July
- Safety incidents
- 60,000 passengers affected
- July passenger delays
- Two controllers for day shifts
- Controllers freed
- 11pm to 6am
- Existing curfew
Why it mattersThe proposal shows how serious the controller shortage has become. Even closing the tower at night is being explored.
AustraliaSydney, Australia's busiest airport, is considering an extreme measure to manage delays that have disrupted tens of thousands of passengers and created safety concerns.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 6 d ago
