Air force can help combat crowded skies, experts say (4)

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Many air bases are near big cities, so when military aircraft need to use the airspace for training or other purposes, civil airlines have to ground flights or circumnavigate restricted areas, said Wang Ya'nan, deputy editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine.

"In the past, especially during the Cold War, the air force had to deploy aircraft near cities and areas with strategic significance to defend them," he said.

"But the situation has changed and the air force has made progress in equipment and technology, so they can relocate the air bases to other places that won't share airspace with civil airlines."

Today, he said, the air force could vacate areas in the airspace that affect busy routes, or at least release areas during traffic peaks or during bad weather.

"However, airlines should not wait for the military to act. They and the civil aviation administration must take measures to improve management and optimize flight schedules," Wang said. "Otherwise, even if the air force releases all airspace under its control, delays will still occur."

The editor recommended airlines use more wide-body jetliners on popular routes so more passengers can be transported on each flight.

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