How are aircraft separated when flying in opposite directions on the same airway?

Aircraft flying in opposite directions on the same airway are separated primarily by altitude. This practice, often referred to as vertical separation, is a fundamental aspect of air traffic control that helps prevent mid-air collisions. When aircraft are in opposite directions, they are assigned specific flight levels or altitudes to maintain a safe distance from each other.

For example, one aircraft may be flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet, while the other is cleared to fly at 37,000 feet. This vertical separation takes into account the aircraft’s performance characteristics and ensures that even if a slight error occurs, there remains a buffer to maintain safety.

While the other options involve aspects of air traffic control and operational management, altitude is the most direct and effective method of separation when dealing with aircraft traveling on the same airway in opposite directions. Geographic location alone may not account for the altitude differences, and time separation is more applicable in situations involving aircraft sequences rather than lateral separation on a defined flight path. Flight level refers directly to altitude but lacks the specificity that altitude provides in the context of separation for aircraft on the same airway.