Aircraft tracking

Major airlines are united on the need for real-time tracking of commercial aircraft following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 and have not raised cost as a concern, according to Nancy Graham, Director of ICAO's Air Navigation Bureau.  Member countries agreed earlier this month on the need for global tracking, although they did not commit to a binding solution or timeline. 

Instead, the global airline industry group, International Air Transport Association (IATA), agreed to come up with proposals for better tracking by the end of September.  IATA said its members would implement measures voluntarily, before any rules were in place.  ICAO is a United Nations affiliated organisation, whilst IATA is a trade body.

Asked whether the cost of implementing new standards was a stumbling block for airlines, Graham said: "Not at all, they're absolutely in solidarity.  There's no price you can put on safety or certainty on where the aircraft are."  www.icao.int

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