TEMPO.CO, Sydney – Earlier this week, Australia tested a new aircraft tracking system for the first time with Malaysia and Indonesia, which will allow authorities to react quicker to incidents such as the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
“In a world first, all three countries will trial a new method of tracking aircraft through the skies over remote oceanic areas,” said Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss.
As reported by The Diplomat on Wednesday, Truss said the system allows traffic control to respond faster if a plane faces difficulties or deviates significantly from its flight plan. This system is based on existing technology used by long-haul passenger aircraft.
Airservices Australia chairman Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said that the system was “a big step forward” and would make aircraft monitoring in oceanic areas much more effective.
The trial of the new system is planned to commence first in Brisbane and will later be extended to Melbourne, Indonesia and Malaysia, respectively.
YON DEMA | THE DIPLOMAT
