United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Near-miss involving Qantas jets under investigation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating a ‘serious incident’ after two Qantas jets came within just 150 metres of each other.
It happened while a trainee air traffic control staffer was on duty and being supervised by a training instructor at Sydney Airport.
On 5 August 2019, a Qantas A330 jet was taking off as a Qantas Boeing 737 was on the approach to land at the same runway.
The trainee ordered the 737 jet to perform a go-around but that resulted in a ‘loss of separation between their aircraft and the departing A330’, the ATSB said.
At one point the planes were separated by just 150 metres vertically.
The safe minimum is 300 metres vertically within an airport’s airspace.
They were close enough to trigger the A330’s automatic collision avoidance system.
The 737 made a second approach to the runway and landed without incident.
Qantas said the two aircraft were not in danger of a collision and both flight crews followed ATC instructions.
"We’re continuing to work with the ATSB on their ongoing investigation," it said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations