The Big Sky Theory
From Wikipedia:
In aviation, the Big Sky Theory is that two randomly flying bodies are very unlikely to collide, as the three dimensional space is so large relative to the bodies. Some aviation safety rules involving altimetry and navigation standards are based on this concept. It does not apply (or applies less) when aircraft are flying along specific narrow routes, such as an airport traffic pattern or jet airway.
The Big Sky Theory has been mathematically modeled, using a gas law approach. This implies that metal-on-metal collisions of aircraft in free flight should be extremely rare in en-route airspace
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