The skies may be getting too friendly, according to data obtained by USA Today. Plane are getting too close together and errors by air traffic controllers are on the rise. The errors per million flights handled by controllers climbed from 4.8 to 5.5.
Experts report that separation distances shrink as planes near airports.
FAA officials are relying on two systems now under development to increase safety in coming years. The other uses computers to give controllers more warning when planes are headed toward each other. An official of the National Air Traffic Controllers' Association says he thinks improved controller morale will reduce errors.