What's going on with SYD air traffic control today?

[Homer]

Some colleagues flying DJ from BNE this morning were told that an "air traffic control issue in SYD" would delay their flight for 90 minutes. Another colleague flying QF from BNE this morning was moved to an earlier flight with a similar explanation.

I checked the QF and DJ arrival information plus Sydney Airport's site and everything seems to be on or close to time. Does anyone know how to find out what the issue is?

 

[russ]

The old "staff availability" issues again. This is what happens when you tell a government department with a monopoly service to make a profit!

Internet Briefing Service

C0254/09

APP CONTROL SERVICES TO SYDNEY LTD DUE STAFF AVAILABILITY
ARRIVAL DELAYS ISSUED THROUGH THE CENTRAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CTMS). REFER AIP ERSA FAC S-25
FROM 02 092000 TO 02 100430

 

[N860CR]

I too was delayed about an hour on SYD-BNE. Qantas were announcing that all flights were delayed due "ATC staff shortages"

The fact that Air Services Australia, a public service, can charge the industry what it does, operate on tax payers money and make a profit can cause such huge delays to the general public because of "staff shortages" is beyond disgusting... but don't get me started.

 

[2muchplastic]

Yes, I had a problem this morning too. 90 mins late getting out of BNE to SYD. I was only supposed to be there for the day, and having that much time taken out of the day really screwed my schedule up.

Didn't help that I got caught in bad Sydney traffic heading back to the airport, and missed my scheduled flight by five minutes. Thankfully work operates a cheapo outbound, flexible back style of ticketing.

 

[sng1971]

It is true that there are serious ATC shortages, and have been for quite some time. But of late, I believe that the airlines are often using this as an excuse for "any delays", to deflect any blame from them.

 

[serfty]

... I believe that the airlines are often using this as an excuse ... to deflect any blame from them.

'Tis easy enough to check ...

Internet Briefing Service - SYD

 

[NM]

Air traffic control strike threatens Australian airports

Its not just SYD ...

from news.com.au:

PASSENGERS could find themselves stranded in Australian airports as air traffic controllers threaten to go on strike.

Airservices Australia, which employs the controllers, claims workers have been coordinating mass sick days in a series of unofficial strikes.

 

[JohnK]

It is true that there are serious ATC shortages, and have been for quite some time. But of late, I believe that the airlines are often using this as an excuse for "any delays", to deflect any blame from them.

It is much easier to lay the blame on someone else. I remember Qantas using this excuse on a number of occasions in the second half of last year and when I was checking Flightstats for SYD arrival/departure information there did not appear to be any significant delays in SYD.