The convergence of many published air routes overhead Adelaide, combined with the convergence point being positioned on the sector boundary of the Augusta and Tailem Bend sectors, reduced the separation assurance provided by strategically separated one-way air routes and increased the potential requirement for controller intervention to assure separation.
The ATSB is satisfied that the safety action undertaken, and action in progress, will satisfactorily address the safety issue.
Airservices Australia (Airservices) reported on 1 September 2014 that:
The Airservices SkySafe Taskforce – Airspace Stream is reviewing air routes in respect to the following criteria:
The Taskforce is undertaking a review of the Australian airspace design that contributes to risk. Due to a legacy design feature requiring air routes to be from Navigation Aid to Navigation Aid, the Taskforce is considering that with the advent of GPS [Global Positioning System] and improved aircraft navigation capability the need to track via Navigation Aids may no longer remain in many cases.
There is also consideration to providing more flexible route structures using modern navigation technology to create traffic directional flows and remove convergence points.
In addition, on 12 February 2015, Airservices reported that:
Furthermore Airservices confirms that the initiatives identified as part of the Operation SkySafe Taskforce are on-going. Airservices has commenced a holistic review of the air route network to address the safety issue identified in the report; to consider the impact and opportunities arising from the ADS-B [Automatic Dependant Surveillance Broadcast] and GNSS [Global Navigation Satellite System] mandates; and the capabilities that may be delivered with the new oneSKY air traffic management system.
