Poor accountability and management of AirServices Australia is failing to provide travelling Australians with a safer, more affordable, and reliable aviation system.
Appearing before Senate Estimates RRAT Committee today, Airservices Australia admitted that, despite having 948 air traffic controllers (ATC), just two ATC that took unplanned leave today caused hours of delays and cancellations across the country.
Senator Bridget McKenzie said the excuses from AirServices Australia CEO, Mr Jason Harfield, at today’s RRAT Senate Estimates about the ongoing dysfunction within the organisation didn’t pass the pub test.
“Minister King must address the litany of failures happening under Mr Harfield’s leadership at AirServices Australia,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Mr Harfield’s one-million-dollar contract is due for renewal this year and I am calling on the Minister to find someone more capable to take on the position.”
Mr Harfield confirmed aviation industry partners have made scathing comments on the performance of Airservices of Australia, with CASA declaring “chronic unease” with the organisation.
“Qantas has rightly pointed out that major disruptions to airspace management have resulted in the increased frequency of ‘TIBA’ events, where pilots have to report their location to each other instead of control towers, which are usually used in extreme circumstances,” Senator McKenzie said.
Qantas’ submission to the Government Aviation white paper was scathing suggesting TIBA events used to be a rare and used in countries with significant challenges providing air traffic control like Afghanistan.
Senator McKenzie said she was shocked to find out the reason for flight cancellations and delays happening across the country today.
“Mr Harfield admitted at estimates that major flight delays and cancellations happening across the country today were due to the unavailability of two air traffic controllers at Sydney Airport,” Senator McKenzie said.
“If it all it takes is a couple of air traffic controller to ground flights throughout Australia, a serious overhaul of AirServices Australia is wholly necessary.
“Anyone experiencing a disruption today has only one person to blame, Labor’s Transport Minister Catherine King who has failed to take action against Airservices Australia’s poor performance.”
ENDS.