A report in The Age says that an accident at Avalon Airport could be “weeks away” if moves are not made to man the control tower on site, according to aviation identity Dick Smith.
Mr Smith, the former chairman of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, made the warning after lobbying for more than a year to increase air traffic control at Avalon.
But his warning has been rejected by Jetstar, which is based at the airport, and those monitoring air traffic, who insist there is no danger.
Incoming and outgoing planes at Avalon are monitored using radar through a control centre at Tullamarine. Avalon has a fire officer on site for all arrivals and departures.
“No airports around the world are run from a radar centre. There is nobody at Avalon to stop possible collisions from happening,” Mr Smith said. “An accident could only be a matter of weeks away.”
He said the failure to man the tower was a “disgraceful act of cost-cutting”.
Avalon Airport spokesman Tim Anderson said that over the past year the tower had been manned about 25 times, including during the air show and when the military used the airport.
“We are satisfied with the present arrangements. It is not to say things won’t change in the future.
“We would like to get to maybe 25 per cent of the Melbourne market going through Avalon and of course that would require more air traffic control,” he said.
“It is very inappropriate language … by Mr Smith.”
A spokesman for Airservices Australia, which supplies air traffic control, said a major aeronautical study last year found there was “no requirement” for the tower to be manned at Avalon.
Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said manning a tower was not required. “We have absolutely no concerns with Avalon Airport,” he said.
Report by The Mole
