Vic: Call for Union/Opposition apology for collision story

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2003
Vic: Call for Union/Opposition apology for collision story

The Air Controllers' Union and opposition transport spokesman have been urged to apologise
for blatant scaremongering after saying two aircraft had a near miss north of Melbourne.

Earlier this month, air controllers and the federal opposition called for the scrapping
of new air traffic control rules after claiming the two aircraft were within 20 seconds
of colliding.

But a report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found that at no stage did
the Cessna and Virgin passenger flight come closer than 2.7 kilometres in distance and
121 metres in altitude.

A spokesman for Transport Minister JOHN ANDERSON says Labor transport spokesman MARTIN
FERGUSON and the air traffic controllers' union should apologise.

AAP RTV ag/ce/rt/rd/psm/

KEYWORD: AIRSPACE (MELBOURNE)

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