We continue to work with industry on initiatives identified through recent airspace reviews and industry engagement in the Pilbara.
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With 6 aerodromes servicing mining, charter and general aviation operations across a relatively small area, the Pilbara experiences a unique mix of aviation activity. Growth in mining and a corresponding increase in flights makes airspace management in the region more complex, increasing cockpit workloads and affecting pilot situational awareness.
High traffic volumes, particularly during peak operating periods, and limitations in communication coverage can also create challenges that require a whole-of-industry approach.
Following extensive consultation and a consultation in 2023 on a draft airspace review, CASA concluded in March 2025 that there was insufficient evidence to justify immediate airspace redesign or reclassification. Instead, CASA committed to targeted safety improvements, including reviews of flight information services, communications and surveillance coverage and consideration of future impacts from additional aerodrome development.
These items and the actions being taken to address them are regularly discussed through the Pilbara Operators Safety Forum. The forum brings together industry representatives, Airservices Australia and us to share information and discuss emerging issues. It also monitors progress on safety initiatives.
A key focus for CASA is addressing issues identified through our 2025 review of Flight Information Services (FIS) in the Pilbara.
Following the review, we issued a formal direction for Airservices Australia to:
- develop a rectification plan to address identified deficiencies
- consult with Pilbara airspace users
- establish measures to assess the effectiveness of proposed improvements.
Airservices Australia have consulted industry on their proposed improvements to FIS. We will review and approve their implementation plan, including timeframes, to ensure it meets the intended safety outcomes as the next phase progresses.
Work is also progressing on several other industry-led initiatives in the region.
This includes consideration of new standard instrument departures (SIDs) and standard terminal arrival routes (STARs) for the Pilbara triangle which will support improved traffic flows, as well as changes to airport planning in the region.
Industry is also exploring initiatives to improve safety and efficiency, including:
- better scheduling to reduce aircraft conflicts
- local operating procedures.
Planning is also underway to ensure airspace and broader aviation system considerations are addressed early in future development proposals.
We continue to monitor operational data and safety trends across the region. This information supports ongoing risk assessments, helps identify emerging issues and informs evidence-based decisions to improve aviation safety.