On 12 March 2008, an Airbus A320-200 aircraft, registered VH-VQY, was being operated on a scheduled passenger service from Launceston, Tas. to Sydney, NSW. While the crew were preparing for the flight, the control tower closed, and the airport lighting switched over to a pilot activated lighting system. The aircraft subsequently departed without the airport lighting being turned on. A number of situational factors were probably associated with the crew not activating the airport lights before the departure. Several similar incidents have previously occurred in Australia and overseas.
