Sydney Terminal Control Unit training concerns

Thank you for this opportunity to respond to the concerns outlined in the REPCON dated 11 May 2026.

The reporter outlines a broad range of concerns that have been considered as part of our Western Sydney International Airport (WSIA) implementation process and mitigated during our development, licensing and safety review work.

As the reporter has been outlined as an 'experienced Air Traffic Controller', they may or may not be across all the procedural or safety work that has occurred to this point.

The REPCON considers the following topic areas:

• Training in the Sydney Terminal Control Unit (TCU) both simulator and live traffic
• Airspace changes associated with the implementation of WSIA.
• New Air Traffic Controllers that have obtained their Sydney TCU endorsement or are currently in training with training to conclude prior to the WSIA changes.

Whilst Airservices does not refute the scenarios being outlined in the REPCON, every effort has and will continue to be taken to ensure the safety of aviation and our people.

A review of WSIA associated changes to the Sydney Basin occurred prior to considering new or amended training and procedures. This review identified that some ATC groups had minor changes, with the major change being to those who control the airspace where the new airport is situated. This ATC group is known as Departures West (DEPW).

DEPW airspace with this associated major change, has the highest amount of training prior to, and additionally a period of no training of new ATCs post the WSIA implementation. This period of no training allows for ATCs to consolidate their skills on the new airspace prior to group On The Job Training Instructors (OJTIs) exercising their training qualification with new staff. This period will be for approximately three months, with senior/experienced ATCs potentially exercising their OJTI in quieter periods to restart the training program. If senior/experienced ATCs are comfortable with this option, a Risk Assessment (RA) process will be undertaken prior to commencement with mitigation steps implemented. Mitigation will involve extra senior staff monitoring the process from a non-controlling position (for example, a floor walker or supervisor).

Other ATC licencing endorsements such as Departures North/South (DEPNS), Approach (APP) and Director (DIR) who all provide directed ATC separation and surveillance services, have been reviewed by Subject Matter Expert (SME), Leadership and training staff to ensure the appropriate level of ATC training and support. Whilst some changes are evident with these ATC areas, they are primarily flight routes associated with WSIA that overfly the current route structure for Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport or minor airspace boundary changes.

As outlined above, additional floor walker or supervision staff will be monitoring the changes post WSIA implementation, with any training paused or suspended if concerns are identified. Newer or junior staff will have senior staff available to them to monitor or answer questions post WSIA implementation, with any performance issues addressed as per normal ATC licencing and skills assessing processes.

The REPCON specifically mentions the use of runway 07 (RWY 07). TCU SME staff identified this concern during the airspace and procedural development phase, and this will be addressed with a lower arrival rate post WSIA when initially using RWY 07. Senior or additional staff being present in the TCU during these operations and having the simulator available for proficiency exercises so ATCs can enhance and improve their skills if needed.

The reporter also mentions the TCU's ongoing training, the relocation of the TCU from its current location in Mascot to a new fit for purpose facility at Artarmon and a negative psychosocial impact on the staff.

The TCU was previously planned to move to Melbourne Centre but due to a change in business direction, the TCU will remain in Sydney with its new location being in the NextDC facility at Artarmon. Services from this purposely built facility are due to commence in line with the new Civil Military Air Traffic System (CMATS) in August 2028. Associated psychosocial impacts have been considered in a Psychosocial Risk Assessment (RA) process in which staff representatives (including Civil Air, the ATC representative association) participated. The RA process identified ongoing consultation and improved communication as means to improve the workplace.

As stated earlier, whilst Airservices does not refute the concerns of the reporter, areas mentioned in the REPCON have been considered by SME, Leadership, licensing and training staff to ensure all areas of concern are identified and mitigated.