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To open, or not to open airspace

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-19 14:46

A recent circular released jointly by the State Council and the Central Military Commission says there are plans to gradually open China's airspace (below 1,000 meters) to help the country's aviation industry develop rapidly. But to make the process more transparent, facts on airspace should be made public, says an article in Changjiang Daily. Excerpts:

As airspace is directly related to national security, it is necessary to have a strict regulation on the subject. For example, low-altitude airspace is a blind spot on radars, meaning it is difficult for radars to detect planes flying at low altitudes. Hence, opening China's airspace without proper regulation and control can pose a threat to national security.

But since airspace is a kind of national resource and an important area of public interest, people have the right to use it legally. A country should exercise tight control on its airspace during emergencies, but it would be normal for it to open it in times of peace.

China's airspace is strictly controlled by its military for reasons of national security. But since many such rules were formed during a special period, it is important to adjust some of them now.

Low-altitude airspace could be used for tourism, flight training and agricultural applications. Besides, China has an emerging private aircraft market. So, the airspace control system should be reformed to strengthen the domestic aviation industry.