澳大利亚运输安全局正在调查8月9日发生在悉尼机场的飞行安全事件[1]。当日，一架维珍澳洲航班（VA555，波音737）在起飞时被迫中止，因为一架澳航班机（QF728，波音737）开始穿过该跑道[1]。澳航机组报告称收到了悉尼空中交通管制员的穿过跑道许可[1]。这是三周内悉尼机场发生的第三起安全事件，也是数小时前捷星航班与卡塔尔航空班机险些相撞之后的又一起事件[1]。
运输部长凯瑟琳·金称这些中断"不可接受"[1]。事件引发了对悉尼机场空中交通管制人员短缺的广泛关注[1]。此前，澳航航班在7月27日也因被许可穿过另一架刚着陆的澳航飞机前方的跑道而发生类似事件[1]。为应对人力不足，预计到年底将有95名新增人员获得空中交通管制员认证[1]。
Australia's transport safety authority is investigating a third aviation incident at Sydney Airport within three weeks, following a concerning pattern of near-misses at the major airport [1]. The latest event occurred on August 9, when a Virgin Australia flight was forced to abort takeoff after a Qantas aircraft began crossing the runway [1]. This incident came just hours after a separate near-collision between a Jetstar flight and a Qatar Airways aircraft, intensifying scrutiny over air traffic control operations at the facility [1].
The August 9 runway incursion involved Virgin Australia flight VA555, a Boeing 737, and Qantas flight QF728, also a Boeing 737 [1]. The Qantas crew reported that they had received clearance from Sydney air traffic control to cross the runway [1]. A previous runway incursion had occurred on July 27, when a Qantas aircraft was cleared to cross a runway in front of another Qantas aircraft that had just landed [1]. Transport Minister Catherine King characterized these incidents as "unacceptable" [1]. In response to mounting concerns about staffing levels in air traffic control, authorities have announced that 95 new personnel are expected to receive air traffic controller certification by the end of the year [1].