Liow: MAS installs aircraft tracking system

Liow briefing reporters on the MH370 first anniversary

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has installed a 15-minute data downloading system to keep track on its aircraft.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the tracking system was part of enhancing aircraft security, as Malaysia emerged a key proponent for a real-time tracking system following the disappearance of flight MH370 a year ago.

"(Data downloading) every 15 minutes, very close to real time. For aircraft and aviation industry, 15 minutes signal downloading and data processing is of great importance," he told a media briefing in conjunction with MH370's first anniversary.

Flight MH370, with 239 on board, went off the radar screens while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing about one hour after departing from the KL International Airport on March 8 last year. It was scheduled to arrive in Beijing at 6.30am on the same day.

Liow said Malaysia was currently working with Australia on an aircraft tracking system and welcomed Australia's efforts to improve the system.

Malaysia, he said, had proposed to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in its council meeting at Montreal, Canada last October to look into the installation of a real-time air-tracking system on all international commercial flights.

"ICAO took the proposal very seriously and had set up a special committee to analyse the proposal and will announce their decision by Aug 31.

"There are certain requirements and conditions attached to this real-time tracking system," he said. - Bernama