IATA’S taskforce on aircraft tracking will offer carriers a range of options to install rather than a single solution across the board.
Singapore’s The Business Times today quoted Kevin Hiatt, senior vice-president (safety and flight operations), IATA and head of the taskforce, as saying: “We will explore what options are available and what aircraft currently on board and see how it can be used to potentially fill this gap.”
Speaking from Doha where IATA is holding its annual general meeting, the taskforce’s solution could address airline concerns about the costs of implementing aircraft tracking systems.
The Business Times stated that some 30 vendors are scheduled to present their solutions to the taskforce, but IATA chief Tony Tyler has remained silent on a timeline for implementation.
According to Reuters, an ICAO official said last week that converting all airlines to a global standard of real-time tracking may take up to three years to realise (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 29, 2014).
IATA convened the taskforce following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (TTG Asia e-Daily, April 1, 2014), comprised of representatives from ICAO, the airline industry, plane-makers, flight safety organisations and air navigation service providers.
