Airservices Australia has resolved a staffing issue affecting Sydney Airport after travellers were warned to expect delays and cancelations.

Several unwell air traffic controllers at Sydney Tower had been expected to impact flight departures for a 30-minute period between shifts between 3.30 and 4.00pm on Friday. 

Flights had to wait at least four minutes between departures, which is twice as long as the usual target on the main runways.

The shortages had been impacting operations at the major airport since 10am, and will affect those travelling for the NRL and AFL finals this weekend. 

‘Airservices Australia has resolved the staffing issue affecting Sydney Airport and will now be able to provide an uninterrupted departure service this afternoon,’ the company said on Friday afternoon.

‘Decisions on whether to cancel flights are a matter for airlines. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their chosen carrier. 

‘We are continuing to invest in our workforce across Australia, with up to 85 additional air traffic controllers expected to be endorsed in 2025 to add further depth to our rosters.’

The government-owned company had no ground delays attributable to their own operations last month, but Friday’s issues worried eager travellers moving between capital cities for sporting events this weekend. 

‘We’re aware that reduced staffing at Airservices Australia may cause some flight delays today,’ a Sydney Airport spokesperson said earlier in the afternoon. 

‘Passengers are encouraged to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight.’

In February, more than 50 flights were cancelled and hundreds of passengers were stranded after just one air traffic controller called in sick at Sydney Airport. 

In March 2024, air traffic controllers threatened to walk off the job for the first time in over two decades, claiming they were drastically understaffed and overworked.

Union Civil Air Executive secretary Peter McGuane said too much was being asked of air traffic controllers with staff shortages exacerbated by extra projects.

Mr McGuane said projects such as a digitised system to control traffic in and out of Western Sydney were putting strain on already overworked staff.

He said the union had been trying to address staff shortages for a decade. 

‘Air traffic controllers are not interchangeable,’ he told the AFR on Friday. 

‘They’re rated for specific functions and you can’t simply transplant one air traffic controller in another controller position for which they’re not rated.’ 

Virgin Australia urged passengers to check for delays on the mobile app. 

It is understood the delays did not impact Jetstar flights. 

It comes after an airfreight worker was crushed to death at the airport on Sunday. 

The worker, believed to be in his 40s, was struck by a vehicle about 10.30am, and specialist paramedics were unable to revive him. 

A Sydney Airport spokesperson said they were ‘supporting NSW Ambulance, NSW Police and Safe Work NSW in response to an incident’.