WorldWhat’s behind Sydney airport’s heavy delays and near-miss incident?

Travellers using Sydney airport have faced major delays amid a fragile air-traffic-control staffing situation. Early on Sunday, a Jetstar aircraft narrowly avoided colliding with a Qatar Airways plane on the tarmac. More than 150 flights had already been delayed the previous day. Controllers are reportedly short-staffed and exhausted, while new recruits must pass a difficult aptitude test and complete training in Melbourne.

Sydney airportflight delaysair traffic controlnear miss

TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-08-12 15:00Original