Two passenger aircraft, a Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, nearly collided on the tarmac at Australia's busiest Sydney Airport on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The Jetstar flight was taxiing for takeoff to the Gold Coast in Queensland when its crew noticed the Qatar Airways plane, which was being towed by an aircraft tug, in close proximity on a crossing taxiway, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

"Both aircraft were stopped abruptly," the ATSB statement said, resulting in injury to a Jetstar cabin crew member who was moving through the cabin. Additionally, the connection between the Boeing 777's nose gear and the aircraft tug was damaged.

A Jetstar spokesperson stated, "Our aircraft was following instructions by Air Traffic Control when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity." Jetstar, a low-cost subsidiary of Qantas, is conducting its own investigation alongside the ATSB, which is gathering data from the planes, air traffic control, and interviewing crew and tug operators to determine the cause of the near collision.

The incident has also caused delays at Sydney Airport, as reported by government agency Airservices Australia. This event occurred a day after the airport experienced widespread delays due to Airservices Australia authorizing "departure spacing" amid roster issues with air traffic controllers.

Sources