This refers to the report "AirAsia crash: Navy divers resume search for victims, debris" (January 5). One vital lesson that needs to be learnt from this crash is the importance of tracking civilian flights on a real-time basis. The London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO), tracks ships around the world via satellites. Organisations such as the International Air Transport Association and the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization should join hands to track planes via satellites.
The Indian Space Research Organisation should also launch a separate satellite for tracking Indian planes around the globe. Despite the availability of the latest technology and satellites, it is a puzzle that aircraft manufactured by the likes of Airbus and Boeing just disappear and cannot be traced. The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 still remains a mystery. Instead of cutting costs, airlines around the world should focus on devising a system that tracks aircraft on a real-time basis. It should be mandatory for airlines to track their planes, as done by IMO for ships.
Currently, to contact their crew, airlines use ACARS (aircraft communications addressing and reporting system) - which uses satellites or high-frequency radio. Moreover, radars installed at international airports do not cover the vast expanse of oceans, polar regions and certain parts of Asia and Africa. Just like cars, trucks and other modern-day four-wheelers, aircraft should also have better global positioning systems.
Deendayal M Lulla, Mumbai
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