Sydney Airport is investigating a near collision between a Jetstar aircraft and a Qatar Airways plane that disrupted flight operations and caused delays

A near collision between a Jetstar Airways aircraft and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport on Sunday morning triggered flight delays and prompted a safety review at Australia’s busiest airport. The incident occurred at around 7 am as Jetstar flight JQ402, an Airbus A320 bound for the Gold Coast, was taxiing for departure while the Qatar Airways aircraft was being towed by a tug along a crossing taxiway.

Jetstar said its aircraft was taxiing out from its parking bay when another aircraft approached.

Australia’s Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said the aircraft were brought to an abrupt halt after coming into “close proximity” on the tarmac. The agency, which is investigating the incident, has not revealed how close the planes came but said the sudden stop prevented what could have been a serious collision between two large passenger aircraft.

In a statement, Jetstar said, “Our aircraft was following instructions by Air Traffic Control when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in …”

No passengers were injured in the incident, but a cabin crew member aboard the Jetstar Airbus A320 sustained injuries and required medical treatment.

Authorities review the incident

Airservices Australia, the country’s air traffic management authority, said it was reviewing the incident and would assist with any safety investigation.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed that the only Qatar Airways Boeing 777 at Sydney Airport at the time was an aircraft operated on behalf of Virgin Australia. Based on the location of the incident near Terminal 2, the aircraft appeared to be being towed to a remote parking stand after arriving earlier on Sunday at Terminal 1.

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Qatar Airways did not issue any comment.

Measures introduced to minimise delays

Following the incident, Airservices Australia said it had implemented measures, including increased departure spacing, to safely manage aircraft movements at the airport.

“We are working with airlines to reduce delays and the impact on passenger travel as much as possible,” the agency said.