Pilots kept in dark during Sydney storms, air traffic controllers’ report reveals

Staffing shortages at Sydney’s air traffic control tower during wild storms meant pilots were not given up-to-date weather info or warned about a wayward drone.

Staff shortages at Airservices Australia have been blamed for a chaotic series of events at the Sydney tower on the day of wild storms.

Staffing shortages at Sydney’s air traffic control tower during wild storms meant flight crews were not given the most up-to-date weather information or told about an unauthorised drone.

A Qantas flight from Santiago was among those caught up in the mayhem, highlighted in an internal Airservices Australia report about “insufficient staff supervision” on February 18.

With only three controllers to do the work of five, there was “controller overload, failure to report reportable matters, failure to provide flight information, and failure to issue a hazard alert” the Sydney traffic manager’s report said.

“At approximately 7am, the Bureau of Meteorology advised there was a severe gust front approaching from the southwest. Additionally there were SIGMETs (significant weather warnings) issued,” said the report.

“These meteorology products were not disseminated and broadcast as per the flight information service provisions. This information was vital to pilots, including (Qantas flight) QF28 which diverted to Newcastle while operating on minimum fuel.”

An airline source confirmed the pilots on QF28 were not told of the more severe weather as the Boeing 787-9 approached Sydney after flying from Santiago, Chile.

As a result the flight burnt up valuable fuel before it became apparent they would not be able to land in Sydney and would have to divert.

With Canberra Airport also impacted by severe storms, the decision was made to fly to Newcastle despite the airport having no customs or immigration.

Airservices’ air traffic management director was asked to assist with the diversion but did not respond in a timely fashion, leaving the Sydney controllers to gather landing details.

“The pilot advised they would declare MAYDAY fuel if there was any delay for arrival at Newcastle,” said the report.

Ultimately the flight landed on a “severely shortened runway” and passengers were unable to disembark because there was no processing staff or facilities.

As the chaos was unfolding, Sydney air traffic controllers became aware of an unauthorised drone in the airport vicinity but no hazard alert was issued and the in-flight emergency response checklist was not followed.

“During these events, controllers were overloaded due to staff shortages,” said the report.

“In a normal operating environment this event would be managed by opening five air traffic control consoles. Staffing only allowed for three consoles to be opened with a very short opportunity to open a fourth.”

The incident was the latest in a string of issues affecting Airservices due to staff shortages, blamed on a higher than average amount of “unplanned leave” or sickies.

The airline source said it was frustrating the shortages were having a flow on effect, resulting in disruption to flights.

“These staff shortages have been going on for a year now,” said the source.

“Airservices Australia needs to sort this out quickly or the travelling public are going to continue having their flights delayed or cancelled.”

An Airservices spokeswoman said they were well prepared for the February 18 weather event, and provided “safe and efficient services” for the storms’ duration.

She denied the key criticisms in the Sydney traffic manager’s report, insisting there was sufficient staff supervision and aircraft were informed of the drone.

“Airservices employs more than 900 air traffic controllers, 97 per cent of which are in operational roles,” said the spokeswoman.

“Airservices requires about 800 ATCs to fully staff the ATC network.”

In a recent email, an Airservices manager implored controllers to return the goodwill showed to them during Covid and suggested any shortages were due to “an alarming level of unplanned leave”.

The air traffic controllers’ union, Civil Air, responded by urging members not to go to work if they felt fatigued or stressed, and warned that the longer staffing levels remained critical, the more unplanned leave would be taken.