All commercial flights could soon send out signals every minute in times of distress

The new tracking rules, prepared by an industry working group, would be phased in by the end of this year, said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations agency. -- PHOTO: EPA.

MONTREAL: All commercial flights worldwide could soon send out an automated signal every minute in times of distress to help rescuers find downed aircraft more easily.

The new measures are in response to last year’s disappearance of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in what remains one of history’s great aviation mysteries.