We’re seeking feedback on proposed changes to how flight priorities are managed.
Why we want your input
Your feedback will help ensure Air Traffic Control can continue to safely and efficiently manage air traffic through fit-for-purpose guidance on how to prioritise aircraft in Australian airspace.How you can voice your opinion
You can provide input by uploading your submission using the ‘Have your say now’ button below or emailing us at AirspacePolicy@infrastructure.gov.au.What will be the outcome of this consultation?
Your submission will help inform the decisions made by the AIP Flight Priorities Working Group.The Issue
The Aeronautical Information Publication Australia (AIP) contains details of regulations, procedures and other information needed to operate an aircraft in Australian-administered airspace. The AIP is divided into 3 books: General (GEN), En Route (ENR) and Aerodrome (AD), which all contain essential information for anyone flying in Australia.
Aircraft in Australia are typically prioritised on a 'first come, first served' basis by Air Traffic Control (ATC). However, at particularly busy airports, and in emergency situations, this isn't always possible or safe. To ensure ATC can direct traffic safely and efficiently, AIP ENR 1.4 Section 6 Regulation of Flights – Assessment of Priorities (AIP ENR 1.4 – 6) afford certain aircraft priority status in specific circumstances.
As the airspace operating environment continues to change, it is important to ensure these priorities remain fit for purpose. We have conducted a review of the priorities in conjunction with Airservices Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and the Department of Defence, through the AIP Flight Priorities Working Group.
The Working Group identified 4 proposed changes to ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic in Australian airspace:
- Prioritisation for Navigational and Instrument Flight Procedure Checks: Aircraft conducting these checks, where prior arrangement has been made, will be prioritised to prevent any delays in required testing.
- Prioritisation Based on Weather Conditions: Aircraft that are able to make a successful landing based on weather conditions broadcast at the time will be prioritised over those that cannot. This will formalise an existing regulatory provision.
- Prioritisation of Very Long-Haul International Flights: In certain circumstances, these flights will be prioritised to mitigate avoidable diversions and emergency landings.
- Expansion of Additional Priorities to Most Towered Airports: This will further enhance the stability of the Air Traffic Management network. However, these priorities will not apply to the secondary metropolitan airports due to their unique traffic mix.
We are now seeking your feedback on the proposed changes to AIP ENR 1.4 – 6 to help ensure Air Traffic Control can continue to safely and efficiently manage air traffic.
Relevant documentation
Participate
25 Nov 2024 10:00 AEDT
23 Dec 2024 23:59 AEDT
Open
days
remaining 28 of 29
We invite you to tell us your views on this topic.
Please include:
- contact name
- organisation name, if applicable
- contact details, including telephone number, postal and email addresses
- confirmation whether or not your submission can be made public—published—or kept confidential.
All submissions to be made public need to meet the Digital Service Standard for accessibility. Any submission that does not meet this standard may be modified before being made public.
If your submission is to be made public, please ensure you do not include any personal information that you don't want to be published.
If your submission is confidential, please ensure each page of the submission is marked as confidential.
Please click on the 'Have your say now' button below to upload your submission.
Privacy Collection Notice
AIP Flight Priorities Review
Your submission, including any personal information supplied, is being collected by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (“the Department”) in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
Use
The Department may use your submission to inform further development and refinement of the proposed changes to the AIP flight priorities.
Disclosure
The Department may disclose your submission to other Commonwealth Government agencies for the purpose of assisting the Department in finalising the proposed changes to AIP ENR 1.4 – 6. The Department may publish your submission as explained below. Otherwise your submission will not be disclosed unless authorised or required by law.
Contacting You
The Department may use your contact information to make further contact with you about your submission and the consultation process.
Publication
Unless marked confidential (see below) submissions (including the author’s name) may be published in part or full on the Department’s website or in any public response by the Department. When publishing, the Department will redact any personal contact details of the author.
Confidentiality
Confidential submissions will not be published and will only be disclosed in the following circumstances:
- in response to a request by a Commonwealth Minister;
- where required by a House or a Committee of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia;
- where necessary in the public interest; or
- where authorised or required by law.
Submissions will only be treated as confidential if they are expressly stated to be confidential. Automatically generated confidentiality statements or disclaimers appended to an email do not suffice for this purpose. If you wish you make a confidential submission, you must indicate this by ensuring your submission is clearly marked confidential. Even if a submission is not marked confidential, the Department may choose not to publish it, or any part of it, in the Department’s discretion (for example where it includes personal information or opinions about a third party).
Access
The Department will securely store your personal information and the Department’s privacy policy contains information regarding complaint handling processes and how to access and/or seek correction of personal information held by the Department. Further information is available at Privacy | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.