Dozens of flights cancelled at Sydney Airport amid critical staffing issue
While air traffic control personnel are entitled to unlimited sick leave, small absences could overwhelm a workforce that is experiencing a massive exodus during the COVID pandemic.
In February 2024, there were mass flight cancellations and delays across the country after just two staff called in sick at Sydney Airport as workers struggled to control movement on the tarmac.
Australian and New Zealand airlines chief Graeme Samuel, whose flight to Melbourne was delayed by more than 90 minutes, hit out at Airservices Australia’s “outrageous” behavior on Thursday.
“This has got to stop, frankly it’s getting ridiculous… everything is going wrong and it’s all attributable to air traffic control,” said former ACCC chairman Samuel. reporter while his plane was on the ground on the tarmac.
“You can only ride COVID for so long. We’ve had two to three years, and if the Air Service hasn’t taken action in that time, then something is going terribly wrong.”
Airservices Australia said recruitment remains a top priority and is adding 91 air traffic controllers in 2025.
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