Another probe launched after two Qantas planes nearly collide at Sydney Airport

Two Qantas planes have been involved in the latest incident at the embattled Sydney Airport .

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) announced on Friday that it had launched an investigation into the near-miss days prior on Tuesday.

The bureau received a report that a Qantas Airbus A321 preparing to depart for the Gold Coast and almost taxied into the path of a Qantas Boeing 737 which had arrived from Melbourne and was continuing to the domestic terminal.

“As the Airbus approached taxiway Lima, the flight crew observed the Boeing approaching from the left and brought their aircraft to a stop while the Boeing passed ahead of them,” the ATSB said.

“There was no immediate risk of collision, with the Qantas A321 aircraft braking normally before coming to a stop.”

While the near-miss has been classified as an “incident” rather than a “serious incident”, the ATSB will investigate the circumstances that lead up to it.

“The evidence collection phase of the investigation will involve interviewing involved air traffic controllers and flight crew, retrieving and reviewing available recorded data, and the collection of other relevant information,” the ATSB said.

Following the announcement, Qantas said that their aircraft were “cleared to proceed following instructions from Air Traffic Control”.

AirServices Australia, which oversees Air Traffic Control, in response said it reported the incident that morning and “will provide the ATSB with all relevant information and act on any findings arising from its investigation”.

“Reporting and examining operational incidents is an important part of the aviation safety system.

“In (the 2024-25 financial year) the ATSB received more than 14,600 aviation notifications from across the industry, and Airservices submits multiple reports to the ATSB on a daily basis as part of regular operational procedure.”

It also referenced other “ recent ground traffic incidents ” at the Airport which are also under investigation by the ATSB, saying each case involves “a range of circumstances and each incident is being investigated on its individual facts”.

“AirServices will continue to review operational events and take any action required to maintain safe operations.”

It comes after a rough patch for Air Traffic Control at Sydney Airport, with shortages of those in the role leading to extensive delays for hundreds of flights earlier this month.