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Oceanic states to trial long-haul plane tracking

Monday, 02 March 2015 12:21 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 02 March 2015 12:20 AM ]

No trace has ever been found of MH370, despite a huge international search. (file photo)

Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia are planning to trial a new method that tracks airplanes every 15 minutes.

The new system will track planes that fly over remote oceanic regions and exploit technology already installed on most long-haul jets.

Currently, airplanes are tracked every 30 or 40 minutes.

If planes are deviated from their routes, the new system is expected to increase the tracking rate to less than five minutes.

The trial will start in the Australian city of Brisbane, before being extended to Malaysia and Indonesia.

The disappearance of Flight MH370 with 239 people onboard has prompted the countries to devise the new system.

Australian Transport Minister Warren Truss said the new system is a breakthrough in air industry. He, however, noted that the new technology would not necessarily solve the mystery of MH370, which is still missing after it disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing on March 8, 2014.

Air services Australia chairman Sir Angus Houston said the new system would improve aircraft tracking, adding,"It's also important to recognize that this is not a silver bullet, but it is an important step in delivering immediate improvements to the way we currently track aircraft while more comprehensive solutions are developed."

Houston said major airlines have supported the safety initiative and are keen to cooperate with the project constructively.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have said they would throw their weight behind the system that is expected to increase surveillance of planes in remote areas in future.

SHS/NT

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