Major Technical Disruption Hits Australian Air Travel
A significant technical failure within Australia's air traffic control network triggered widespread flight delays across three major airports on Tuesday afternoon. The disruption originated from the Melbourne air traffic service centre shortly after 2pm, impacting operations at Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne airports.
Safety Maintained Amid Operational Challenges
According to a spokesperson for Airservices Australia, the organisation responsible for the nation's air traffic operations, the core issue involved communication systems. The spokesperson was quick to reassure the public that fundamental safety protocols remained intact. "Safety, air traffic control and communication between air traffic controllers and aircraft are unaffected," the representative stated.
However, to manage the situation, staff were forced to implement manual procedures. "The main operational capability being impacted is that we have reverted to manual entering of flight plans in some circumstances," the spokesperson explained. This manual process significantly slowed down the flow of air traffic, necessitating immediate traffic management measures.
Passengers Face Delays Across Multiple Airports
The flow-on effects for travellers were immediate and tangible. Perth Airport officially confirmed hold-ups for both arriving and departing flights. Meanwhile, Adelaide Airport reported that services were continuing but advised passengers to expect delays of up to an hour.
In Melbourne, the situation was similar, with the airport confirming that departures were being impacted. "Flights may be held while the issue is resolved," a statement read. The disruption was felt on the tarmac, with one specific flight from Melbourne to Sydney reportedly stuck on the ground for over an hour while awaiting clearance.
While the immediate cause of the technical fault remained unclear as of Tuesday evening, authorities were actively working on a solution. Airservices Australia has advised all passengers to check directly with their airlines for the latest information on flight schedules and potential delays.
