What is the required airspace protection for routes?

The required airspace protection for routes is indeed 4 miles either side of the route center line. This standard is established to ensure that there is adequate space for the safety of aircraft operating along the designated routes. The 4-mile protection zone helps to prevent potential conflicts with other air traffic and allows for safe maneuvering in the airspace.

Maintaining this specified distance is crucial for the orderly management of air traffic and helps to enforce safety protocols in busy airspaces where multiple aircraft may be operating simultaneously. It also plays a significant role in navigation accuracy and provides a buffer zone for any unanticipated deviations from the intended flight path. This regulation ensures that sufficient airspace is allocated to route traffic, thereby enhancing overall operational safety and efficiency.