IATA: Aircraft Tracking Task Force draft recommendations to be presented at end of Sep-2014

IATA director general and CEO Tony Tyler said (19-Sep-2014) the aviation industry is addressing the challenge of flight tracking of commercial aircraft, but "we must recognise that the global fleet includes some aircraft with the most advanced technologies available on board as well as aircraft that are not so well-equipped" and that these aircraft must interact with ANSPs "that also have a range of capabilities from ultra-sophisticated in high density airspace to more basic operations in line with market needs". Mr Tyler said there is not one "best way" to track aircraft. In very close cooperation with ICAO, IATA is leading the Aircraft Tracking Task Force (ATTF), composed of key stakeholders across our industry and there are "many existing products and services that have the potential to improve our collective global tracking capabilities". On 30-Sep-2014, draft recommendations will be presented to ICAO for consideration in their processes. In parallel, IATA members will be examining the proposals in preparation for consideration by the IATA Operations Committee and eventually by the IATA board of governors in Dec-2014. [more - original PR]