Airlines Offered Flight Tracking Service

Satellite communications provider SITA and Flight Explorer, McLean, Va., have combined on the development of an integrated flight-tracking service that will provide airlines with the ability to track, manage and communicate with their flights through a single computer screen. Airline flight dispatchers have been able to use the Flight Explorer Aircraft Situation Display (ASD) application to track flights, and separately use SITA’s Aircom service to communicate with pilots. The companies said the new integration of tracking and data link communications on one screen will enhance airlines’ ability to maintain complete operational control of their flights. AirTran Airways, which already uses both SITA Aircom for in-flight data link communications and Flight Explorer’s ASD, is set to carry out the first tests of the new combined solution in September. SITA is integrating Flight Explorer into its Aircom Server product, which offers airlines a turnkey solution for the exchange of messages with their aircraft cockpit computers. Flight Explorer’s graphical flight-following software primarily uses FAA radar data and is deployed by 85 percent of North American major airlines, the company said.