Two planes narrowly avoid Melbourne Airport workers on runway

Two planes have narrowly avoided airport runway workers in Melbourne in a pair of “dangerous” incidents this month.

Malaysia Airlines was involved in a near-miss at Melbourne this month. Photo: iStock

Melbourne Airport has confirmed two planes narrowly missed several airport tarmac workers on the runway in two “dangerous” incidents this month.

Workers on the tarmac at Melbourne Airport were completing runway pavement works on Monday evening when a Boeing 787 took off “further down the runway than expected”.

It was also the second incident of its nature this month.

Melbourne Airport confirmed that workers and airline staff were unharmed in both incidents, with investigations underway.

“Melbourne Airport notified the ATSB of an incident that occurred on the night of Thursday 7 September involving Malaysia Airlines flight MH128 to Kuala Lumpur,” the statement said.

“A displaced threshold (reduced runway length) was in place on Melbourne Airport’s north-south runway to allow for pavement resurfacing works at the runway’s northern end.

“The aircraft departed towards the north but took off closer to the work site than expected.”

The airport confirmed the incident had occurred again on Monday with a Boeing 787.

“A subsequent incident occurred on the night of Monday 18 September involving Bamboo Airways flight QH083 to Hanoi, operated by a Boeing 787,” the statement added.

“The aircraft departed towards the work site and took off further down the runway than expected.

“The flight landed safely in Hanoi.

“Works for the night were immediately suspended and the full-length runway returned to service.

“Melbourne Airport is assisting the ATSB with its investigation.”

Transport Workers Union assistant secretary Mem Suleyman slammed the safety standards within the airline industry, saying it was “only a matter of time” before someone was killed.

“These incidents highlight the dangerous working conditions aviation workers face all too frequently,” he said.

“It’s only a matter of time before near misses turn into tragedies.

“It is clear that we need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to reorient the industry away from short-term profits and back to prioritising safety and service standards.”