A Jetstar Airbus A320 taxiing for departure narrowly avoided a collision with a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 being towed by a tug on a crossing taxiway at Sydney Airport around 7 a.m. local time on August 9, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4].
The Jetstar flight, scheduled to depart for the Gold Coast, was following air traffic control (ATC) instructions when pilots were forced to brake abruptly to prevent the collision [1, 5, 2, 3, 6]. A Jetstar cabin crew member was injured due to the sudden braking and received treatment from paramedics at the scene [1, 2, 3, 7, 8].
Damage was reported to the connection between the nose gear of the Qatar Airways Boeing 777 and the aircraft tug towing it, though there was no damage to the aircraft itself [2, 3, 6, 4, 7].
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) launched an investigation into the near collision on the same day. The bureau is collecting data, interviewing crew, tug operators, and air traffic controllers involved [2, 3, 6, 4, 7]. Airservices Australia, the provider of air traffic control at Sydney Airport, is also reviewing the incident and assisting with safety investigations [1, 5, 2, 3, 7].
The incident occurred amid ongoing staffing shortages and rostering issues affecting Sydney Airport's air traffic controllers, which have caused delays to more than 250 flights over the past weekend [1, 2, 9, 10]. Two workers involved in the event—the Airservices Australia air traffic controller and the tug driver—were temporarily stood down pending mandatory post-incident drug and alcohol testing [9].
Initial reports indicate the tug operator towing the Qatar Airways plane may not have followed ATC instructions, though investigations continue [2, 3]. "Initial information suggested the tug pulling the Qatar plane did not follow air traffic control instructions," an anonymous official said [3].
Jetstar spokeswoman said, "Our aircraft was following instructions by Air Traffic Control when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity. We have commenced an investigation into the incident" [5, 3]. Qatar Airways did not respond to requests for comment [5, 3, 4].
The Jetstar flight JQ402 was cancelled following the incident; passengers have been rebooked on later flights [2]. The event added to operational disruptions and delays at Sydney Airport already struggling with staff shortages and scheduling challenges [1, 3, 7].
Australian Transport Minister Catherine King said Airservices Australia "have committed to implementing improved rostering practices for Sydney’s Air Traffic Controllers that will be implemented from early September. It has been a big focus of ours to encourage more people to enter the profession, and 95 people are expected to be endorsed as air traffic controllers by the end of the year" [9].
