§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Air how many officially recognised air-routes there are at present over this country, how many of them are habitually used by scheduled air traffic in conditions of good visibility and in conditions of bad visibility; and what is the definition of an officially recognised air-route as referred to in the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1933, and the Air Navigation (Amendment) Order, 1937?
Captain BalfourThere are seven officially recognised air routes of which one is habitually used by scheduled air traffic in all conditions of visibility. The remaining six are occasionally used by scheduled air traffic under conditions of bad visibility, and when so used it would generally be by arrangement with the Air Traffic Control. In fine clear weather conditions scheduled air traffic usually flies from the coast keeping to the direct track between the aerodromes of departure and destination.
There is at present no published definition of an officially recognised air route, but any air route which is specified as such in an Air Ministry publication is regarded as an officially recognised air traffic route. The question of providing a specific definition of officially recognised air routes is still under consideration, in consultation with operating companies.