Union questions firefighter staffing for international flights at Gold Coast Airport
The union for aviation firefighters is claiming “inadequate” staff were on deck for international flights on 15 occasions. See the airport’s and Airservices Australia’s furious response.
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The union for aviation firefighters claims inadequate numbers of trucks and personnel have been on deck for international flights - but the Federal organising body rejects the accusation.
Airservices Australia – a federal government organisation responsible for aviation rescue fire fighting - says it has more firefighters employed than required across the country.
Gold Coast Airport is also rejecting the claims.
The United Firefighters Union of Australia claims between December last year and February, 2024, 15 AirAsia flights arrived at or departed Gold Coast Airport without the required number of firefighters available.
The Union claims AirAsia’s Airbus 330-300 capable of carrying 365 people “typically” requires 10 firefighters and three fire trucks on duty “to respond at a moment’s notice”.
But it claims 13 flights took place with three fire vehicles but only six firefighters - and two flights were staffed by two fire vehicles and only six firefighters.
Union aviation branch secretary Wes Garrett alleged it was a major breach of international aviation safety regulations.
“Practically, that means if an air crash does occur, the capacity of aviation firefighters to extinguish an aircraft fire and to intervene to rescue passengers from a burning aircraft is greatly reduced, and that could cost a significant number of lives.”
“International flights at the Gold Coast airport are taking off and landing with inadequate protection from understaffed aviation firefighters,” he claimed.
Mr Garrett added: “Under the Morrison Government, Airservices cut 100 aviation firefighters from Australia’s airports in 2021, against our advice and concerns.
“In February 2024, we’re still suffering the effects of those cuts to aviation firefighters,” Mr Garrett said.
The union has formally written to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) with its claims of “insufficient staffing” for the 15 AirAsia flights.
An Airservices Australia spokeswoman dismissed any claim of a breach of safety regulations.
“We have employed more than 115 full-time aviation rescue firefighters since 2022.”
Airservices has more than 830 aviation rescue firefighters and require 760 to service airline and airport customers across the country, she said.
“As per CASA regulations, Airservices provides an (Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service) at Gold Coast Airport during these operational hours.
“We have not withdrawn after-hours services at Gold Coast Airport.”
A Gold Coast Airport spokesperson denied having any firefighting staff shortages.
“Gold Coast Airport works in close consultation with Airservices Australia, as well as other partner agencies, and remains assured that the level of coverage provided is in line with operational requirements,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Garrett said if Airservices failed to respond to union requests for “urgent action” on the claimed shortages, its members were “fully prepared to undertake industrial action”.
Full list of AirAsia flights which union claims lacked required firefighting staff
December 11th 2023: Flight 200 arrived, and Flight 201 departed.
January 1st 2024: Flight 200 arrived, and Flight 201 departed.
January 15th. 2024: Flight 200 arrived, and Flight 201 departed.
January 22nd, 2024, Flight 200 arrived, and Flight 201 departed.
January 27th, 2024, Flight 200 arrived, and Flight 201 departed.
January 28th, 2024, Flight 200 arrived.
February 3rd, 2024, Flight 200 arrived, and Flight 201 departed.
February 15th, 2024, Flight 200 arrived, and Flight 200 departed.
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