Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Jetstar and Qatar Airways Planes Nearly Collide at Sydney Airport
Two big passenger planes almost bumped into each other on the ground at Sydney Airport in Australia.
One was a Jetstar plane getting ready to fly to the Gold Coast.
The other was a Qatar Airways plane being pulled across its path by a special tug vehicle.
They came so close that both planes had to stop very quickly.
One Jetstar crew member was hurt and needed medical help, but no passengers were injured.
The plane being towed also had damage where it was connected to the tug.
A safety team called the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is now investigating what happened.
Early clues suggest the tug driver may not have followed instructions.
The airport has also been dealing with delays because of concerns about a shortage of air traffic controllers, and the state's leader said he is worried this could affect public safety.
The Jetstar flight was cancelled and its passengers were rebooked on later services.
Jetstar flight JQ402, an Airbus A320 bound for the Gold Coast, narrowly avoided a collision with a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 being towed across its path at Sydney Airport.
The two aircraft came into "close proximity" on the tarmac and both stopped abruptly; the exact distance between them has not been disclosed.
A Jetstar cabin crew member was injured and required medical treatment, while no passengers were injured.
The Qatar Airways Boeing 777, operated on behalf of Virgin Australia, suffered damage to the connection between its nose landing gear and the towing tug.
ATSB investigators are examining the incident, with early indications that the tug operator may not have followed instructions; the near-miss coincided with air traffic controller staffing concerns.
- Who
- Jetstar flight JQ402 (an Airbus A320) and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 being towed by a tug, with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigating.
- What
- The two passenger planes narrowly avoided colliding on the tarmac and both stopped abruptly; a Jetstar cabin crew member was injured and flight JQ402 was cancelled.
- When
- Around 7am on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
- Where
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Australia.
- Why
- Cause under investigation; initial inquiries suggested the tug towing the Qatar aircraft may not have followed instructions, and the incident came amid concerns over air traffic controller staffing.
Airline and agency response
Investigators and official concern
Cause of the near-miss
Airline and agency response
Jetstar said its aircraft was following air traffic control instructions when its pilots were forced to brake firmly after the Qatar aircraft came into close proximity.
Investigators and official concern
Initial inquiries suggested the tug pulling the Qatar aircraft may not have followed instructions, although investigators have not yet established what caused the near-miss.
Air traffic controller staffing
Airline and agency response
Airservices Australia said it had been managing reduced air traffic movements and introduced measures including increased departure spacing to safely manage aircraft movements and reduce delays.
Investigators and official concern
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was "obviously concerned", warning that a shortage of air traffic controllers could have implications not only for delays but also for public safety.
- Incident
- Near-collision between two passenger aircraft on the tarmac
- Aircraft involved
- Jetstar flight JQ402 (Airbus A320) and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777
- Location
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Australia
- Date and time
- Around 7am, Sunday, August 9, 2026
- Investigating body
- Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
- Injuries
- One Jetstar cabin crew member injured; no passengers injured
- Damage
- Connection between the Qatar Boeing 777's nose landing gear and the towing tug
- Flight status
- JQ402 cancelled; passengers rebooked on later services
Sources
Jetstar, Qatar Airways planes narrowly avoid collision on Sydney Airport tarmac
Australia probes near-miss collision of two planes on tarmac at Sydney airport
Jetstar, Qatar Planes Almost Crash On Sydney Airport Tarmac: How Close Were They?