Fatigue at the Controls: A Sobering Reality for Air Traffic Safety A recent near miss incident at Sydney airport has once again highlighted the critical issue of fatigue among air traffic controllers.
The incident involved two Qantas aircraft narrowly avoiding collision on a runway, and what's striking is not just the proximity to disaster but also the alarming frequency with which such incidents seem to be happening.
Several controllers on duty that morning had been flagged as high risk for fatigue due to staffing shortages and pressure to work extra shifts.