From today passenger aircraft flying into and out of Tasmania’s two main airports – Hobart and Launceston – will be under the control of an air traffic controller 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and not just when the towers at these airports are open.

This delivers on a commitment I gave prior to last year’s Federal Election and will further improve safety in the skies over Tasmania.

Airservices Australia has put in place new arrangements requiring their air traffic control centre in Melbourne to monitor and control the airspace over both Hobart and Launceston airports when their towers are not operational.

These enhanced air traffic control services build on the introduction of advanced air traffic control surveillance technology known as Wide Area Multilateration (WAM), which was commissioned in Tasmania in June last year.

The provision of these services is another example of further improvements in air traffic services and surveillance at regional airports currently being completed by Airservices including new or upgraded air traffic control towers at Broome, Karratha and Rockhampton.

While Australia has an enviable safety record, the Gillard Labor Government nonetheless remains vigilant and ready to act on the advice of the independent safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.