Flight separation reduced for Olympics

The East China Air Traffic Management Bureau adjusted and reduced flight separation standards for the Beijing Olympics.
This was done to expand flight flows and improve the capability to support safe flights during the Games. The reduction of the radar control flight separation standards was implemented in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou terminal areas. After the implementation, the controller’s commanding separation of flights under radar monitoring was reduced from 20 km. to 10 km. In the approach control area, the separation was reduced from 10 km. to 6 km. The new standard meant that the eastern China area radar control is almost on a with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).