Sydney Airport Cancellations, Delays Mount Amid Controller Shortage

Staff shortages at Airservices Australia caused about 14 inbound flight cancellations and delays exceeding an hour at Sydney Airport after unplanned absenteeism left the control tower one position short on September 11. The agency said Sydney has 49 air traffic controllers but needs 41 operational staff, while eight are unavailable on a long-term basis, leaving little capacity to absorb sudden absences. The disruption is part of a broader pattern: Airservices recorded 2,536 cancellations nationwide in the year through August 31, including 121 attributed directly to the agency and 103 at Sydney. Air traffic flow restrictions reduced the airport’s runway capacity and contributed to wider delays and cancellations, while the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigates several recent near-misses at Sydney. Airservices is seeking additional controllers, including retired staff, and expects 91 trainees to join nationally over the coming year.