ATSB investigates Sydney Airport near-miss involving Jetstar and Qatar Airways aircraft
A Jetstar A320 and a towed Qatar Airways Boeing 777 stopped abruptly after coming close on a crossing taxiway at Sydney Airport.
Sydney, Australia. Australia’s transport safety regulator has opened an investigation after a Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 narrowly avoided colliding on the tarmac at Sydney Airport on Sunday.
The Jetstar aircraft was taxiing for departure to the Gold Coast in Queensland when its crew saw the Qatar Airways aircraft, which was being towed by an aircraft tug, close by on a crossing taxiway.
Investigation launched
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said both aircraft stopped abruptly.
A cabin crew member on the Jetstar aircraft was injured, while the connection between the Qatar Airways aircraft’s nose gear and the tug was damaged, the regulator said.
Airlines and air traffic response
Jetstar, the budget arm of Qantas, said it was also investigating the incident.
“Our aircraft was following instructions by Air Traffic Control when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity,” a Jetstar spokesperson said.
Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Departure spacing measures
Airservices Australia, the federal agency responsible for managing air traffic, said it imposed departure spacing at the airport to safely manage projected airborne and departure demand following the incident.
The agency declined to comment on the cause while it remained under review.
The near-miss occurred a day after Sydney Airport experienced widespread delays when Airservices Australia used the same strategy, citing roster constraints among air traffic controllers.
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