Airports seek changes to air traffic control rule to prevent some flights having to divert

Airports are pressing for changes to an air traffic control rule forcing long-haul international flights to divert rather than being allowed to land ahead of other services.

Airports are pressing for changes in the way air traffic controllers’ operate so that very long haul international flights are given priority over other services during delays, rather than being forced to divert to alternative ports.

Under current rules, air traffic controllers must treat flights on a “first come, first served” basis, which can create potential fuel problems for long-haul services in the event of a lengthy delay. 

Although most flights of 12 hours or more can absorb a 10-minute holding pattern, anything longer may require a diversion, or a “fuel mayday” to fast-track the flight to the head of the queue.

On multiple occasions in the past two months, holding patterns of 45 minutes or more in Sydney, caused by bad weather, forced international flights to divert.

On November 30, two United Airlines flights diverted to Melbourne and an American Airlines flight went to Canberra because of a lengthy delay that would have run down their fuel supply.

In October, another United Airlines flight was diverted to Canberra as it did not have the fuel to undertake the extensive holding on arrival in Sydney.

And this week, an American Airlines flight declared a “fuel emergency” in order to go to the head of the queue during 30-minute delays into Sydney.

An American Airlines’ flight at Canberra Airport after diverting from Sydney. Picture: Nathan Patrech/X

The Albanese government is undertaking a timely review of “flight priorities” as part of an update of the aeronautical information publication.

In a submission to the review, Australian Airports Association chief executive Simon Westaway said the current situation had a raft of negative flow-on effects for airlines and their passengers, as well as airports.

“The current ‘first come, first served’ approach by air traffic controllers has the potential to damage the reputation of Australia as an attractive destination for passengers and airlines alike,” Mr Westaway said.

He said diverting to another airport could mean passengers were stranded at an unfamiliar port, sometimes overnight, without prearranged accommodation.

For airlines, it meant significant extra costs as well as having to source another crew, because of the fact they would have exhausted their duty hours.

Mr Westaway said that was certainly the case for the United Airlines’ crew when their flight was diverted to Canberra on October 9, because of storm activity in Sydney.

Due to the unplanned arrival, the aircraft had to wait for refuelling services to become available, and arrangements had to be made for Border Force to screen passengers.

“Airlines were unable to place passengers on domestic flights from Canberra to Sydney, and so charter buses had to be arranged,” Mr Westaway wrote.

“Passenger luggage was required to be transported the following day, which missed some passengers who were required to embark on a cruise ship.”

The changes being proposed by the AAA were supported by the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia, which counts United and American Airlines, Delta, Air Canada, Qatar and Turkish Airlines among its 36 members.

BARA executive director Stephen Pearse said if adopted, the changes would give air traffic controllers a little bit more flexibility.

“When you’ve got a very long haul flight, you can make some commonsense prioritisation rather than having to adhere to the ‘first come, first served’ provision,” Mr Pearse said.

“It makes more sense to land a widebodied aircraft rather than diverting that service, where the downstream is affected.”

The deadline for submissions to the review is December 23.

Originally published as Airports seek changes to air traffic control rule to prevent some flights having to divert