大象传媒

COLLISION COURSE

What are the risks of mid-air collisions?

MORE ABOUT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

We are constantly being reassured that flying is the safest form of transport. But with the growth of the region's airports, and the presence of the RAF, is the North East at greater risk from mid-air collisions? Inside Out investigates.

The majority of the sky above North East England is uncontrolled airspace where pilots can fly wherever and however they please.

This makes the North East one of the most intensely used areas for RAF training.

Add to this the rapid growth in the number of flights leaving from regional airports and you could have a recipe for disaster.

Airprox

The RAF has a large presence in the North East

Inside Out has examined near-miss reports over the North East between military and commercial aircraft since 2000.

There have been 21 air proximity reports or, "Airprox" as they are known.

Investigators concluded that in most cases there was no actual risk of collision, but in four instances the safety of the aircraft was "not assured".

In one incident, which they described as "the worst near miss they had ever seen," a fighter jet shot up into cloud without checking what was in its path.

The jet passed within 100 feet of an SN Brussels flight descending into Newcastle with 80 passengers on board.

The fighter pilot gave no warning before the manoeuvre and it was left to the civilian controller at Newcastle airport to warn the SN Brussels pilot of the jet's movements.

Out of control

Air corridors provide extra safety for planes

Although the fighter pilot's actions were described by the RAF as "unwise", he did not break any rules.

Near-miss investigators have called on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to urgently look at how both military and commercial aircraft are allowed to share uncontrolled airspace.

Berwick MP Alan Beith is calling for urgent action by the MoD and CAA to improve safety.

Whilst Northumberland Councillor Peter Hillman, chair of a committee of all councils affected by low flying, believes "it's only a matter of time before there is an incident with catastrophic consequences."

Room for improvement

Until March 2003 Newcastle and Teesside Airports were isolated from the UK's main airway system.

Pilots had no choice but to fly though uncontrolled airspace.

Last year however, a new air corridor was introduced connecting Newcastle to Manchester and the main UK airways system.

The corridor provides extra safety for planes heading south.

But those with destinations in Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia or Northern Europe still have to fly through uncontrolled airspace if they are to take a direct route.

Deviations cost more both financially and in journey time, making airlines reluctant to alter routes and the CAA has no power to force them to use the air corridors.

Share and share alike

A new part-time airway linking Newcastle to Aberdeen is being considered and the CAA and MoD are in discussions about the joint use of uncontrolled airspace.

During major exercises the MoD now has a military liaison officer sitting with the Newcastle Airport air traffic controllers.

This is unique in British air traffic and reflects the nature of civilian and military aircraft both using the same airspace.

The CAA insists that no near-miss is acceptable.

Whilst these extra measures have been welcomed, Alan Beith MP says new safety measures only seem to come in after a near-miss and even then the new measures soon prove inadequate.