Sydney air traffic controllers have ‘grave concerns’ about collision risk after airspace redesign

Sydney air traffic controllers have warned the federal government about the risk of collisions after an airspace redesign tied to the new Western Sydney airport. An experienced controller said the changes were rushed, with people of all experience levels under-trained. A complaint has been received by the authorities.

A redesign of Sydney's airspace is meant to make way for the new airport at Western Sydney. Controllers reported poor confidence in handling the RSI rules and likened the situation to the period before a fatal accident in 1940 of Washington.

If controllers cannot safely manage the new rules, lives are at stake. The fatal risk is urgent given the growing number of flights the new airport brings.