Probe set into plane near-collision at Gold Coast

Authorities are investigating how two planes - one taking off and the other landing - ended up 150 metres from each other at the Gold Coast on July 21.

Stock picture of a Jetstar plane flying on approach to Coolangatta airport on the Gold Coast, Friday, March 21, 2014. Source: AAP

An investigation is under way into how two planes came within 150 metres of each other in the air at the Gold Coast earlier this month.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the July 21 incident, which involved an AirAsia plane and a Jetstar plane.

It is understood the AirAsia plane was taking off from Gold Coast Airport at 11.42am as the Jetstar plane was landing.

The Jetstar pilots had to put their plane into a climb to increase the distance between the two aircraft, but the company has said it was given approval from air traffic control to descend.

The AirAsia Airbus A330 was bound for Auckland, New Zealand, while the Jetstar Airbus A320 had flown from Geelong.

The ATSB investigation is expected to be completed by July next year.