CONTROLLED airspace could be introduced in Southend for the first time in 20 years.

A 12-week public consultation has been launched to decide whether all aircraft in the vicinity of the airport should be obliged to talk to air traffic control.

Currently, non-airport traffic doesn’t have to make contact with controllers, which can result in longer and less direct routings, less predictable climb and descent profiles for aircraft and an increase in workload for pilots during take-off and landings.

If the plans go ahead, it will mean glider, paraglider and hot air balloon pilots will have to fit radios to their craft and let air traffic control know their position.

A spokesman for Cyrrus, the consultants working with Southend Airport on the proposals, said they were not about increasing air traffic in the area, but about making flying safer.

He said: “This will enhance safety. It’s has been designed for existing operations, not to increase the amount of air traffic.

“It’s a very congested part of the world. To build this in we’ve been doing a lot of work with air navigation service provider Nats.

“At the end of the day it’s all about safe, safe, safe in Southend.”

Controlled airspace was in existence around Southend up to 1993, when it was removed due to a reduction in air traffic.

It was introduced temporarily last year, during the London Olympics, but due to the airport’s expansion and the amount of scheduled flights now operating, the airport wants to make those flights safer and more efficient.

Consultation runs from September 20 until December 19.

To have your say visit, www.southendairport.com/news/controlled-airspace