August 9, 2026 — 9:50am
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Two planes have been involved in a near-miss while taxiing on the runway at Sydney Airport, forcing one plane to brake suddenly and injuring a crew member.
A Qatar Airways plane and a Jetstar plane were photographed on the runway metres from each other just after 7am on Sunday.
A Jetstar plane and a Qatar Airways plane on the runway at Sydney Airport on Sunday morning.Nine News
There were 180 passengers on board Jetstar flight JQ402, which was heading to the Gold Coast, when the pilot spotted a Qatar Boeing 777 aircraft next to the plane, Nine News reported. The Qatar plane did not have any passengers on board and was being towed at the time, according to the report.
The pilot applied the brakes on the Airbus A320, causing one flight attendant who was moving throughout the cabin to fall. The attendant was treated by paramedics for minor injuries. No passengers were injured.
The Jetstar pilot, captured on videos by passengers, told them a cabin crew member had been injured. “We need a safety car due to the proximity of the [plane] to the right,” he said.
“We were focusing on crossing a runway so only by chance … we were able to stop.” The pilot said the towing aircraft had broken its towing equipment.
A Jetstar spokesperson said the aircraft was following air traffic control instructions.
“The pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity,” the spokesperson said.
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
A spokesperson for Airservices Australia, which manages air traffic movement, said departures had been spaced out in response to the incident.
“We are working with airlines to reduce delays and the impact on passenger travel as much as possible,” the spokesperson said. The company will review the incident and assist with safety investigations.
The return Jetstar flight from the Gold Coast has been cancelled, with customers to be rebooked on later services.
The airport experienced lengthy delays across Friday and Saturday with more than 150 flights affected amid staff shortages at air traffic control.
Qatar Airways has been contacted for comment.
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners