Jetstar brakes hard to avoid Qatar jet in Sydney
SCMP · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A near collision between a Jetstar Airbus A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 disrupted operations at Sydney Airport on Sunday morning. The Jetstar crew braked suddenly while taxiing for a Gold Coast service, injuring a cabin crew member as investigators began examining aircraft, air traffic control and towing data.
Key Points
- Jetstar flight JQ402, an Airbus A320 bound for the Gold Coast, was taxiing at about 7 a.m. when its pilots saw a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 under tow nearby on a crossing taxiway.
- The Jetstar pilots applied firm brakes to avoid a collision, and a cabin crew member moving through the cabin was injured and later treated by paramedics.
- No passengers were injured, while damage was reported to the connection between the Qatar aircraft’s nose gear and the aircraft tug after both aircraft stopped abruptly.
- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it is collecting available data from both aircraft and air traffic control, and interviewing crew members and tug operators.
- Airservices Australia said delays followed the incident and that it introduced traffic-flow measures, including wider departure spacing, after earlier staff shortages had already delayed more than 250 Sydney departures on Friday and Saturday.
Why It Matters
Sydney is Australia’s busiest airport, so even a brief ground-safety incident can quickly affect regional schedules and onward travel plans. For Hong Kong and other Asia-Pacific travellers connecting through major hubs, the investigation’s findings may shape scrutiny of towing procedures, air traffic control coordination and airport staffing resilience.