Source: Radio Australia Author: 08/11/2008
Subject Concerned: Government
Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says it's considering restricting the number of planes flying at certain times because of a shortage of air traffic controllers.
Concerns have been raised after domestic flights operated without air-traffic control on a number of routes this year because controllers called in sick.
When flights are not monitored, pilots must communicate with each other by radio - and rely on sight - to avoid collisions.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson says the authority is working with Airservices Australia to deal with the problem.
"There's no need to rush to make any changes. The procedures being used at the moment are perfectly safe, the pilots understand them but naturally the Civil Aviation Safety Authority is looking for the best operational way to manage this issue."