World focus on our sky safety

Cameron Stewart | July 26, 2008 AUSTRALIA is facing international pressure to address growing safety concerns about the practice of passenger jets flying through uncontrolled airspace. The world's governing aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, has asked the federal Government to explain why large chunks of Australian skies are being left uncontrolled, forcing pilots to fend for themselves to avoid mid-air collisions. The move comes as the world's largest pilots association yesterday slammed Australia for allowing a "third world" situation to develop in its skies because of a chronic shortage of air traffic controllers. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue this week called for a review of safety procedures for flying through uncontrolled airspace, despite claims by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that... [read full story]