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High Fatigue Risk Among Controllers in Sydney Near-Miss
4 Sep
Summary
- Half of controllers on duty had high fatigue risk ratings.
- Shift manager called staffing situation "a bit insane".
- Six near-misses occurred at Sydney Airport in about a month.
Several air traffic controllers on duty during a July near-miss at Sydney Airport had been identified as facing a high risk of fatigue. The incident, involving two Qantas aircraft, prompted concerns over air traffic control staffing, especially given six similar near-misses occurred at Sydney Airport in approximately one month. Internal records revealed that five out of ten controllers on duty possessed a high fatigue risk rating.
A shift manager described the staffing situation as "a bit insane" during an internal call following the close call. The near-miss prompted a review of the fatigue management system, which uses automated assessments of workload and scheduling to estimate fatigue risk. While mitigation measures exist, union representatives highlighted that short staffing leads to increased overtime and pressure on controllers.
Airservices Australia acknowledged significant impacts on their ability to fill operational shifts due to high short-term absences. Controllers reported routinely working despite high fatigue ratings and facing pressure to work overtime, with concerns that absences leave colleagues more strained. Globally, air traffic controller duty rules vary, with Australia allowing up to 10 consecutive shifts and 80 hours in a run, though controllers often work 10 days straight.
