Australia see spike in near-misses amid air traffic controller shortage

AI Summary

Australia faces a rising number of near-misses at its busiest airport due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Incidents at Sydney Airport include aborted take-offs and emergency braking to avoid collisions, highlighting critical staffing challenges in aviation safety.

Australia’s shortage of air traffic controllers is showing signs of nearing a breaking point after the country’s busiest airport recorded at least four near misses in the past month. Since late July, incidents at Sydney Airport included a passenger jet aborting its take-off because there was a plane in its path. In a separate close call, an aircraft that was taxiing had to slam on the brakes to avoid colliding with another jet. Short-staffed control towers have long been a problem globally, but...