A report in The Sunshine Coast Daily says that a Jetstar Airbus A320 passenger jet was forced to abort its landing at Sunshine Coast Airport yesterday morning, with the 10:00am flight JQ782 inbound from Sydney having to make a “go-around” circle of the airport due to a light plane being on the runway at the same time.
The aircraft had begun its landing approach when the captain was contacted by Air Traffic Control to advise of the light plane on the runway, and he put the jet into circling mode around the airport. The aircraft landed safely, with no injuries.
Fay Cooke from Ingleburn in southwest Sydney, who travelled on the flight, said the captain advised passengers the runway had “a lot of traffic” on it, and he would take the plane round until it was clear.
“So we went around, once or twice I think,” she said. “There were no dramas – these things happen.”
According to Jetstar, this is the second time such an incident has occurred since it commenced Sunshine Coast flights over three years ago. “In past go-arounds, it is usually weather (causing it),” Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said. “(On another occasion), there was one light aircraft on the runway.” Mr Westaway said the situation was successfully handled.
“What occurred today, the captain was advised with plenty of notice – he was given a lot of time (to act),” he said. “The aircraft was only in the early stages of its approach – it was a long way out.”
Asked if the airport was adequately catering for increased air traffic due to population growth, Mr Westaway said regular assessments were made of regional centres like Sunshine Coast Airport.
“We are very confident in the existing air-space arrangements at Sunshine Coast Airport,” he said. Mr Westaway said Jetstar had “five or six” flights a day using the airport. “It’s growing, (but) it’s a relatively low frequency,” he said.
Airport manager Peter Pallot said while the airport’s tower was not always staffed with controllers, “it is for most of the traffic times”. He said the instruction to pilots to go-around is given when a “possibility of conflict” situation arises.
“We err on the side of safety,” he said. “As a precaution, we sent the A320 around to clear (the runway).
“We very rarely get that type of event – but it does happen at airports from time to time.” “But it was a standard go-around.”
Mr Pallot said he was “very happy with air space management here”.
Report by The Mole
