Sydney Terminal Control Unit (TCU) underprepared to safely manage complex airspace changes effective 9 July 2026

Thank you for this opportunity to respond to the concerns outlined in the REPCON dated 18 June 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:

- Excessive pressure on the current system.

- New procedures associated with the implementation of WSIA.

As outlined in REPCONs RA2026-00071 and RA2026-00087, 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 volume of targeted training for the introduction of WSIA airspace changes. Additionally, a period of no training of new ATCs post the WSIA implementation is planned. This period of no training allows for our experienced ATCs to use their current skills and training to consolidate on the new airspace prior to group On The Job Training Instructors (OJTIs) exercising their training qualification with new staff. A staged re-introduction to OJTI will occur following a period of consolidation. 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, has also been reviewed by locally based SMEs, leadership, standards and training staff to ensure the appropriate level of ATC training, support and compliance. 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 (KSA) or minor airspace boundary changes.

During the introduction and initial consolidation, additional floor walker or supervision staff will be monitoring the changes post WSIA implementation, with any training paused or suspended if concerns are identified. 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.

This REPCON specifically mentions the new procedures associated with the changes. All procedures and training requirements were developed, reviewed and approved by locally based SMEs and Check and Standardisation Supervisors (CSS), and the Project Team prior to commencement of the training activities. Additionally, a successful flight validation process has been completed.

Airservices appreciates the reporter bringing these concerns to our attention. The areas mentioned in the REPCON have been considered by SME, leadership, licensing, standards and training staff to ensure all areas of concern are identified and mitigated.