Flight cancellations and delays occurred at Sydney Airport on the morning of 11 September 2026 due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Airservices Australia implemented Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) measures to manage aviation demand safely amid roster constraints, which were lifted at 8:15 a.m. AEST (2215 GMT on 10 September 2026) after conditions improved.
Some Qantas flights experienced delays exceeding one hour, and six flights were cancelled during the disruption. After the lifting of ATFM measures, further delays of no more than 10 minutes were expected through the remainder of the morning. Sydney Airport’s website did not specify
reasons for the delays, directing inquiries to Airservices Australia.
An Airservices Australia spokesperson said the ATFM measures may have caused disruptions to airline scheduling but the agency is working with airlines to reduce delays and the impact on passenger travel as much as possible. Airservices Australia is taking steps to recruit more air traffic controllers and making it easier to call on additional staff when required. The shortage is linked with ongoing investigations into recent near-misses at Sydney Airport, including incidents involving controller fatigue during a near-collision in July, with one shift manager describing the staffing situation as “a bit
insane.” The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating whether the near-misses share common safety issues or contributing factors.
Airservices Australia CEO Rob Sharp and other senior executives are scheduled to appear before a Senate committee examining the state of Australia’s aviation sector and its ability to deliver reliable and affordable services, particularly to regional areas. These disruptions coincide with heightened scrutiny of air traffic control staffing amid global shortages and recent safety concerns.
Passengers at Sydney Airport experienced the cancellations and delays, including six flights cancelled and some Qantas flights delayed by over an hour. Flight delays of up to
10 minutes were expected to continue despite the lifting of ATFM measures. Exact details on total flights affected beyond the cancellations and Qantas impacts, as well as specific routes and airlines, have not been disclosed.
