CBR backs SYD reforms

CANBERRA Airport has backed calls to lift landing restrictions at its Sydney counterpart, arguing that “outmoded” regulations are contributing to flight delays around the country.

In a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into airport regulation, the ACT gateway says although Sydney Airport is a major competitor, “we feel the effects of its inefficiencies and delays”.

“(SYD’s) wings are clipped by outmoded operational strictures that make it one of the most constrained airports in the world,” CBR’s submission says.

“It is these constraints that cause most of the delays at Sydney Airport & not only prevent its on-time operations from recovering after bad weather disruptions, but cause delays at airports around Australia because four out of every 10 planes in Australia fly through Sydney at least once a day.”

CBR’s submission reflects similar calls made by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) which released a report earlier this month recommending aircraft movement restrictions be reformed ( TD 04 Jul).

CBR calls for the cap on movements through SYD to be increased from 80 to 90 per hour, and that additional limits on the number of flights allowed each 15 minutes be removed in favour of a “rolling average”.

It also argues for greater flexibility to allow flight schedules to catch up in the event of weather disruptions.