(SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA) – Australian investigators are examining a third safety incident at Sydney Airport in less than three weeks after a Virgin Australia plane was forced to abort its take-off when a Qantas aircraft crossed the same runway.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it is investigating a runway incursion and rejected take-off involving Virgin Australia flight VA555 from Sydney to Perth and Qantas flight QF728 from Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport.
The incident occurred shortly after 10am on August 9, 2026. It involved two Boeing 737 aircraft. Air traffic control cleared the Virgin Australia 737 for a full length take-off on runway 34L, the safety bureau said.
“As the crew applied thrust for take-off, they observed the Qantas 737 begin to cross the runway ahead of them from taxiway Lima,” the bureau said.
“The Qantas crew reported having received a clearance from ATC to cross the runway,” the bureau added.
The Virgin Australia crew then reduced thrust and the aircraft came to a stop on the runway. Air traffic control then broadcast a cancellation of the take-off clearance.
Once the Qantas 737 was clear of the active runway, the Virgin Australia 737 was cleared again to take off.
The incident follows two other near misses on the ground at Sydney Airport. Both are under investigation by the safety bureau. A series of delays has also affected the airport.
Airservices Australia chief executive Rob Sharp had been summoned by Transport Minister Catherine King to ensure operations move smoothly in Sydney over the next month. Airservices Australia is in the process of bolstering its roster of air traffic controllers in Sydney. The controllers are in short supply and frequently forced to cover shifts.
A spokesperson for Virgin Australia said the matter was reported to the safety bureau in line with company procedures. “We take the safety of our guests and crew extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for Qantas said its aircraft was cleared to proceed following instructions from air traffic control. The airline said it will support the investigation.
Airservices Australia said it is working with the safety bureau to investigate recent incidents involving aircraft moving on the ground at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
“Safety is Airservices’ top priority and we are committed to working with all stakeholders including airlines, ground handlers, regulators and airport operators to keep the travelling public safe,” the agency said.
It is understood the air traffic controller cancelled the take-off clearance of the Virgin plane within four seconds of the initial clearance after seeing the previously cleared Qantas aircraft crossing the runway.
On Sunday morning at Sydney Airport there was a near ground collision involving a Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways 777 that was under tow.
Two airport workers were stood down after that incident. Minister King warned Airservices Australia chief executive Rob Sharp that the delays and disruptions seen at Sydney Airport over the previous three days were unacceptable and had caused significant disruption to passengers, staff and airlines.
Two weeks earlier, on July 27, 2026, a QantasLink flight and a Qantas flight were involved in a near miss on the tarmac in Sydney.