Australian air traffic controller found sleeping after 10 night shifts in 12 days

A recent report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has revealed significant safety concerns and a pressing labour shortage in the aviation sector, following an investigation into an incident where a Brisbane air traffic controller was found asleep on the job. The report, made public recently, has recommended a series of workplace safety reforms in response to the findings of the 2022 incident.

The incident occurred at Brisbane’s Cairns Airport on December 9, 2022, when an air traffic controller, who was the sole person responsible for managing flights approaching and departing from the north of the airport, was discovered asleep on two chairs at 5:15 am. The discovery shocked airport officials; however, no safety incidents were reported as a result of the controller’s brief lapse.

The ATSB’s investigation revealed that the employee was suffering from fatigue after completing 10 night shifts over the course of 12 days, with insufficient extended rest periods in between shifts. This fatigue was identified as the primary cause of the incident. The report has prompted the ATSB to call for urgent improvements in work scheduling and fatigue risk management across the aviation sector.

In addition to the fatigue issues, the report also highlighted broader systemic problems within the industry, particularly labour shortages, which have placed additional strain on existing staff. These shortages have been identified as a contributing factor to the incident, as they have led to increased workloads and insufficient rest for air traffic controllers.

Since the incident, Airservices Australia, the organization responsible for managing Australian airspace, has reportedly taken steps to address these issues by increasing the overall number of air traffic controllers. However, the ATSB report underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and reform.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell emphasized the ongoing challenge of managing fatigue in the transport sector, despite the growing awareness of its risks.

“Fatigue remains one of the most relevant ongoing concerns for safe transport,” Mitchell stated. He urged transport operators to proactively investigate fatigue-related events and to address deficiencies in work scheduling, fatigue risk management processes, and risk controls.