Civil Air Australia

17/08/2026

"Air traffic controllers must not work by law when sick or unfit for duty or fatigued, that’s not a recommendation that is the civil aviation safety regulations and I think that’s what the public would expect,” [Civil Air president Scott Nugent] said.

“The issues that we have seen in Sydney have nothing to do with sick leave. The issues in Sydney are because there are not enough air traffic controllers on the roster. There is a reliance on overtime. There are three to four shifts each day that are vacant before anyone even calls in sick.”

“It’s a high stakes job, what we do is not an easy task,” he said.

“At the end of the day our people are just trying to do the best job they can with the resources that Airservices have given them.”

Australia’s biggest gateway is relying almost solely on air traffic controllers’ willingness to work overtime shifts due to understaffing resulting in all too frequent disruption to travellers.

12/08/2026

While air traffic controllers are entitled to unlimited sick leave under their terms of employment, Scott Nugent, the president of the air traffic controllers’ union Civil Air, says the issue “is that we do not have enough controllers just to fill the base roster before we have any sick leave at all”.

“In practice, the only way you fill the roster is with overtime, and it relies on overtime just to do business as usual,” Nugent says.

The experienced air traffic controller says workers are getting to the point where they have done so much overtime that they’re exhausted. Some staff are working 10 days on and then having one day off.

Air traffic controllers are short-staffed and exhausted – and new recruits face a difficult aptitude test and must train in Melbourne

10/08/2026

Civil Air president Scott Nugent, who is a trained air traffic controller, said staffing shortages took a heavy toll on those working on the frontline.

"What I can say is that air traffic controllers in Australia are working very hard, and for a long time they have not necessarily had the resources they need to do their jobs properly," he told the ABC.

"There aren't enough controllers in Australia."

Australian Transport Safety Bureau's Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell says pilots who avoided a near miss at Sydney Airport on Sunday morning "prevented what could have been far more serious".

02/08/2026

Thank you to all of our amazing delegates!

Representing 85% of Australia's Air Traffic Control workforce, Civil Air's delegates will always have your back.

06/07/2026

Civil Air members are offended and deeply disappointed that Airservices management continues to blame them in the media and amongst industry for poor management decisions about staffing.

Civil Air will not allow Airservices to attribute their systemic staffing problems to our members, who are working above and beyond, completing hundreds of hours of overtime each year to help dig Airservices out of their staffing shortfall, and provide a safe and efficient service to the traveling public.

Delays stretched from 30 minutes to an hour as at 9am on Sunday, though Airservices said the issues, caused by

02/07/2026

A fantastic week of advocacy at Parliament House, Canberra on behalf of Civil Air members and Australian Aviation Unions.

30/06/2026

Civil Air is thrilled to be part of this important Alliance and ensure that the voice of professional aviation workers is heard at the highest levels.

Civil Air President Scott Nugent has been in Canberra this week meeting with Government representatives and raising serious issues on behalf of our membership.

01/06/2026

Civil Air stands with our colleagues from the United Firefighters Union Aviation Branch against Airservices proposed privatisation of safety critical ARFFS assets.

The United Firefighters Union of Australia Aviation Branch (UFUAV) has pointed to a new report from the Centre of Full Employment and Equity as evidence the plan would leave taxpayers “$135 million out of pocket for a worse service that undermines their safety”.

28/04/2026

Civil Air is pleased to be able to provide our ongoing support to past President Tom McRobert, as he continues advocating for Air Traffic Management professionals across the globe.

IFATCA 2026 conference update

NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

Mr. Thomas McRobert, Australia, was re-elected as Executive Vice-President Finance of IFATCA for another term.

Congratulations Tom!

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24/04/2026

✈️ CIVIL AIR TO HOST IFATCA'S 67TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ✈️

It is with incredible excitement that we announce that Civil Air has been successful in bidding for the 2028 IFATCA - International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations Annual Conference!

To be held in Sydney, 1-5 May 2028, the event will bring delegates from all over the world to the International Convention Centre Sydney to discuss current issues in Air Traffic Management, debate and adopt policy positions that will shape the profession, and provide opportunities for Civil Air members to network and engage with our international colleagues and friends.

Thank you to RATCA, the Romanian Air Traffic Controllers Association for hosting this week's IFATCA 65th Annual Conference in Bucharest, where Civil Air has presented our successful bid for 2028.

Civil Air is proud to continually work to shape the future of our profession, and to showcase our members dedication and professionalism. Representing over 1000 frontline ATCs and Supporting Staff, Civil Air never stops fighting for the professional and personal wellbeing of our members.

See you in Sydney! 🐨🐨