Development of a satellite-based technology to enable global flight tracking systems

1.10.2015

Question for oral answer O-000118/2015
to the Commission
Rule 128
Michael Cramer, on behalf of the Committee on Transport and Tourism

The tragedies of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 and Air France flight 447 highlighted vulnerabilities in the current air navigation systems that hampered timely identification and localisation of aircraft in distress.

This significantly hindered effective search and rescue efforts and recovery operations. Flight tracking systems today cover only around 30 % of the global airspace.

The confidence of the public in the air transportation system has to be maintained by using state of the art technologies.

Satellite ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) is one of these technologies. It will help governments, air navigation service providers, as well as airlines in Europe and around the world to increase air traffic management efficiency and capacity, and significantly enhance aviation safety, all while lowering infrastructure costs.

The regulatory barriers to satellite-based flight tracking systems must be lifted to enable life-saving services for EU citizens.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has identified satellite ADS-B as one of the technologies that can assist flight tracking outside of the most densely populated areas where other forms of terrestrial aircraft tracking systems are limited. This is why it has asked the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to make the necessary radio spectrum band allocation. This should happen during the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC15) that will take place in Geneva in November.

– What is the Commission’s opinion on global flight tracking satellite-based technology?

– What is the Commission’s position in view of the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC15), regarding the allocation of the necessary radio spectrum band to support the future development of a satellite-based technology to enable global flight tracking systems?