A retired long-time pilot has raised concerns of a potential "catastrophic" incident at Sydney Airport. (Supplied)
A retired commercial airlines pilot and aviation safety investigator says there could be "catastrophic" consequences if Sydney Airport issues are not fixed.
Three incidents on the runway in as many weeks are being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Airservices Australia CEO Rob Sharp says initial reviews of air traffic procedures have not uncovered systemic issues compromising passenger safety.
Sydney Airport could face "catastrophic" consequences if safety issues are not addressed, following three incidents in as many weeks, a former pilot and aviation safety investigator says.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) revealed last Thursday it was investigating a third mishap, this time involving a Qantas flight crossing the path of a departing Virgin Australia aircraft.
It said at 10am on August 9, Virgin flight VA555 to Perth had its clearance to take-off rescinded by air traffic control soon after it had been given.
It is understood Qantas flight QF728 began to cross the runway more than 1,200 metres away from the Virgin plane, after also receiving clearance.
Just three hours earlier, there was a near miss between a Jetstar plane and a Qatar Airways aircraft at the same airport.
A Jetstar cabin crew worker was injured when the A320 plane had to brake suddenly to avoid colliding with a Boeing 777 under tow.
Two weeks prior, on July 27, a Qantas Link flight and a Qantas plane were involved in a near-miss on the tarmac.
Geoff Klouth has 35 years of experience working with commercial airlines. (Supplied: Geoff Klouth)
Retired commercial airline pilot and former aviation safety inspector Geoff Klouth said if the safety issues were not rectified "quickly", a worse incident could occur.
"We've been very fortunate that there haven't been collisions, but it doesn't mean it won't happen in the future," he said.
"It's only luck preventing the aircraft coming together because the system is not working at present.