An unexpected shortage of air traffic controllers has resulted in the cancellation of more than 50 flights at Australia’s busiest airport.
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded at Sydney Airport on Friday after just one air traffic controller called in sick on late notice. It’s understood most passengers will have to wait until Saturday for their rescheduled flights.
Airservices Australia reduced aircraft movement due to poor weather, but the delays were made worse by the sickie which caused 26 departures and 32 arrivals to be axed.
Airlines have been scrambling to notify passengers, but some were told about the delays just before boarding.
A replacement air traffic controller was called in, but not before flights were cancelled.
‘We are working on all measures to minimise further impact, including accommodating additional flights wherever safe,’ an Airservices Australia spokesperson said.
‘Airservices apologises to passengers affected by delays and cancellations.
‘We are disappointed that this has occurred so soon after our strong performance over the Christmas period, when ground delays were at record lows across the network.’
Hundreds of travellers were left in the lurch, with most having to wait until Saturday for their flights
A total of 26 departures and 32 arrivals were axed on Friday
Jetstar had 10 flights that were impacted and a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they had been rushing to find new flights for their customers.
‘All of our other passengers were put on other flights within 24, 48 or 72 hours so we’ve got them all on other flight,’ the spokesperson said.
Virgin Australia Airlines said 16 of their flights were affected.
‘We are in the process of communicating to impacted guests and re-accommodating them on the next available services,’ Virgin said.
‘We regret this has required the cancellation of some Virgin Australia services to and from Sydney today.
‘Guests booked to travel to and from Sydney today should monitor their flight information closely.’
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, Sydney Airport said it would not be providing a comment on the situation.
It comes after a day of public transport woes in Sydney, with lengthy delays across the train network, which has been crippled by ongoing industrial action.
The major delays were caused by an air traffic controller calling in sick on late notice
More than 800 services were cancelled and 396 services delayed on Friday after negotiations between the NSW Government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) failed yet again.
A government spokesperson said the union was given a ‘fair and reasonable pay offer’ prior to the industrial action.
It claimed the union demanded every rail worker be paid a $4,500 bonus during the eleventh hour of negotiations.
The state government is considering urgent legal action as a result of the latest strike.
A Fair Work Commission hearing is set for Monday but discussions between the union and the government are expected to continue over the weekend.
