Reporter's deidentified concern
An experienced air traffic controller has approached the ATSB with concerns related to training and airspace design, leading up to the opening of the new Western Sydney International Airport (WSIA).
The reporter states 'The WSIA project is at a critical point. With only weeks to go before the July 9 airspace changes, procedures are still being designed and airspace is being changed'.
Air Traffic Controller (ATC) training
The reporter states 'ATC training is rushed and inconsistent, with minimal simulation and reliance on home learning. This is the biggest and most complex airspace change the Sydney Basin has ever seen and some controllers are receiving only 30 minutes simulator time on particular runway modes'. Controllers have been provided, and expected to digest, a large training manual outlining multiple and complex changes, in particular, familiar manual Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) procedures switching to unfamiliar tactical procedures. The reporter advised that no training has been provided in the situation where aircraft are not able to meet STAR requirements and queries what procedures are available to controllers when this occurs?
The reporter states training is completed and signed off with only 'dot point' competencies rather than full endorsement training. Furthermore, training only accounts for 'Ops normal' operations and does not account for adverse weather or 'non-normal' aircraft operations and the subsequent contingencies.
The reporter further states that experienced controllers will be expected to train new staff within six weeks following the 9 July airspace changes despite many of the controllers receiving minimal training themselves. In addition to this, the reporter is concerned there will be entire shifts operating at times whereby the cumulative controller experience will be no more than three months. The reporter acknowledged there will be 'floor walkers' available to assist initially however, ongoing this will not replace sufficient training which has not been provided.
ATSB comment
A separate REPCON (RA2026-00071) has been published relating to ATC training concerns with the implementation of WSIA airspace changes.
Unsafe airspace design in the Sydney Basin
The reporter is concerned after attending an Airservices Australia (AsA)/Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) briefing on the new Sydney Basin airspace, that many attendees expressed concern in relation to a pocket of airspace that will force General Aviation (GA) aircraft to fly in close proximity while operating on multiple radio frequencies. Specifically, the airspace between Bankstown and Camden and to the south-east through to the south-west of Camden aerodrome. The reporter explained the concern providing the following example.
Simultaneous Movements in this area will include:
- Aircraft outbound from Camden at 1,300 ft tracking to the new visual flight rules (VFR) fix St Helens skate park. While flying this route they will be required to be on Camden Tower (TWR) 120.1, Sydney Centre 124.55, or Bankstown approach 125.8
- Aircraft inbound to Camden at 1,800 ft via Menangle operating on Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) 125.1, TWR 120.1, Sydney Centre 124.55 and Wedderburn Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) 122.55
- Aircraft outbound from Bankstown at 1,500 - 2,500 ft via the new VFR Mt Annan outbound route. They will be operating on Bankstown Approach 125.8, Sydney Centre 124.55, and Wedderburn CTAF 122.55
- Aircraft inbound to Bankstown on descent to 1,500 ft via the new St Helens Skate park route. Operating on Bankstown ATIS 120.9, Sydney Centre 124.55, Bankstown Approach 125.8, and Wedderburn CTAF 122.55.
The reporter states, all these operations will be high workload with pilots likely to be 'heads down' in the cockpit, obtaining Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) code and clearances, as well as conducting pre- or post-take-off checks, changing frequencies and so on. This will also lead to a significant loss of situational awareness for pilots operating in this airspace. The reporter further states, 'CASA and Airservices Australia are aware of this and their response was to “submit reports and we’ll address it in a post-implementation review”.'
The reporter is concerned the changes will also result in a loss of situational awareness for Approach controllers especially in times of abnormal operations affecting aircraft outside their area of responsibility.
Lack of local consultation
The reporter advised with poor project management and not enough resources within AsA, there was insufficient local input. There was a lack of local subject matter expert (SME) input into the new airspace changes including the new VFR routes arriving and departing Bankstown and in the vicinity of Camden. In a recent management shift, project SMEs were sent back to ATC duties due to staff shortages.
Non-compliance with Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS)
The reporter concludes, all IFR aircraft arriving into Bankstown will now have to conduct an instrument approach regardless of if the conditions are Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) or Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). Aircraft on IFR approaches are not permitted to maintain a specific level yet may be requested to do so by ATC which contravenes the procedures outlined in the Manual of Air Traffic Services.
Named party's response
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:
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) training
- Unsafe airspace design in the Sydney Basin
- Lack of local subject matter expert (SME) consultation
- Non-compliance with Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS)
As outlined in REPCON RA2026-00071, 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. 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 amended airspace design to the west of Bankstown, which will affect general aviation (GA) aircraft operation to/from, or in the vicinity of, both Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport. The new airspace has been considered and designed by locally based SMEs and overseen by the broader Project Team and Airservices Standards section. The Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) was approved by CASA and has recently (05/06/2026) been the subject of further refinement between Airservices and CASA to ensure maximum altitude available for GA pilots. Engagement activities were conducted jointly by Airservices and CASA with GA operators in the period 04/06/2025 to present via online and in person sessions. GA operations will be continuously monitored after the implementation of WSIA on 9 July 2026 to ensure safe operations of aircraft and ATC workload management.
The reporter also outlines concerns with the non-compliance with the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS). All procedures have been approved.
Aircraft conducting an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) approach into Bankstown will be under direct ATC surveillance and in communications with an air traffic controller during the approach. IFR pilots will be provided with traffic information on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft and be separated from other IFR aircraft during the approach.
Airservices appreciates the reporter bringing forward their concerns. 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.
Regulator's response
CASA is satisfied that Airservices Australia has implemented an appropriate training program to support the introduction of Western Sydney International Airport airspace and associated air traffic services. CASA has reviewed the relevant training and operational documentation and notes that air traffic control procedures have been amended to support the new operating environment. CASA is also satisfied with the airspace design approval process and the level of engagement undertaken with operational subject matter experts.
During the development of the airspace change proposal, Airservices conducted extensive consultation with Sydney Terminal Control Unit and Bankstown Tower air traffic control SMEs, resulting in several design amendments to address identified risks and improve operational outcomes. CASA approved the airspace changes subject to a range of conditions, including post-implementation monitoring and review activities.
With respect to the concerns regarding compliance with the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS), CASA has reviewed the relevant procedures and approvals and is satisfied that the approved operational arrangements comply with applicable regulatory requirements. CASA will continue to monitor the implementation of the Western Sydney International airspace changes and associated approvals through its normal regulatory oversight activities, including the post-implementation monitoring arrangements established as part of the approval process.
REPCON details
| Date reported | 29/05/2026 |
|---|---|
| Published date | 20/08/2026 |
| Affected operation/industry | Air Traffic Control |
| Concern subject type | Training |
| Transport mode | Aviation |