Flight from Queenstown involved in 'serious' runway incident in Sydney

A flight from Queenstown to Sydney is involved in an investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) after a "breakdown in coordination" involving two Qantas aircraft and air traffic control at the Australian city's airport last month.

According to ATSB, a Boeing 737 was operating as Qantas flight QFA124 from Queenstown to Sydney, while a DHC-8 was operating as QantasLink flight QLK424D from Canberra to Sydney on July 27.

ATSB said air traffic control had cleared the Boeing 737, which was on runway 25, to cross runway 34L while the DHC-8 was still in its landing roll on the same runway.

The conflict was quickly detected by air traffic control who alerted flight crews, with the Boeing 737 stopping after the runway's holding point.

The ATSB classified the occurrence as a "serious" incident involving a runway incursion, breakdown of coordination and procedural error. No injuries were reported.

Investigators were now interviewing those involved, retrieving data and reviewing other relevant evidence to determine what happened.

"A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken," ATSB said.

A spokesperson for Qantas confirmed to 1News that it was assisting ATSB with the investigation.

"Both Qantas aircraft were cleared to proceed following instructions from Air Traffic Control and we will support the ATSB in the investigation," the spokesperson said.

Airservices Australia said it was also assisting with ATSB's inquiries.

"Safety is Airservices' top priority and we are assisting the ATSB in their inquiries," a spokesperson confirmed.

"Given the matter is currently under investigation, there is nothing further we can add at this stage."