Progress in global airline flight tracking capabilities
After a special meeting on global flight tracking of aircraft, the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) forged consensus among its member states and the international air transport industry sector on the near-term priority to track airline flights, regardless of their global location or destination. Furthermore, the meeting established a framework for medium- and long-term efforts in this matter.
Under the Icao framework, contributions by industry through an aircraft tracking task force (ATTF) coordinated by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) will help address the near-term needs for flight tracking. "Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been an unprecedented event for aviation and we have responded here in a similarly unprecedented manner," commented Icao council president Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.