Statement regarding Canberra Air Traffic Control Tower

During routine maintenance a substance suspected to be asbestos was found in a piece of equipment in the Canberra air traffic control tower.

We subsequently evacuated the tower to ensure the safety of our air traffic controllers.

Alternative air traffic control services have been put in place to ensure minimal disruption to services while we complete further testing, which is being carried out now.

We will provide further updates as we have them.

Update: 3:45pm AEST

Testing has confirmed no asbestos has been found in the tower.

Air traffic controllers are returning to the tower.

Posted on: September 11, 2019

More news
Related topics

Airservices provides safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry.

Airservices Australia ready to guide Santa this Christmas

It’s go-time for Santa Claus’ magical mission, with Airservices Australia’s official Santa Flight Management Team gearing up to provide 24/7 flightpath tracking to guide Jolly Old Saint Nick and his reindeer to safety this Christmas. Airservices’ national network of 3700 professionals – led by our highly skilled and passionate air traffic controllers (ATCs), engineers, technicians […]

Airservices Australia invites feedback on Sunshine Coast Airport Post Implementation Review improvement actions

Airservices Australia is today calling on the community and industry to provide feedback on the first actions of the Post Implementation Review (PIR) for airspace and flightpath changes implemented at Sunshine Coast Airport in 2020. Online engagement sessions will be held on 26 and 27 November. Booking are essential via here. The PIR, which was […]

Airservices Australia Releases October Australian Aviation Network Overview 

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for October 2025.

Highlights include: Australian aviation recorded another strong month in October, supported by major events such as the National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final and school holidays early in the month. International travel has sustained 9% year-on-year growth, and this momentum is expected to be maintained, supported by regional trade cooperation reinforced at the recent APEC Summit. Fleet renewal is enabling greater capacity on busy domestic routes and first-ever international services from secondary airports, such as the Bali-Newcastle route with A321LR aircraft.

Infrastructure in the sky: Why Australia’s growth depends on getting airspace right

Australia is preparing for a 25-30% surge in air traffic over the next decade with billions of dollars pouring into airports, aircraft, drones and improved aviation services. But there’s a bottleneck that could undermine this nation-shaping investment – the largely invisible infrastructure of the sky.