The Future of Operational Safety is in Real Time

By Captain Bassani - ATPL/B-727/DC-10/B-767 - Former Air Accident Inspector SIA PT. captbassani@gmail.com - Nov/2025 - https://www.personalflyer.com.br

Image Eurocontrol

In today’s aviation landscape, global aircraft tracking has become a fundamental pillar of operational safety, emergency response, and efficiency in international operations. Since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, ICAO, in collaboration with the FAA, Eurocontrol, EASA, CASA, NASA, and leading university research centers, has driven a transformation in the ability to monitor and locate aircraft during all phases of flight—regardless of borders or traditional radar coverage.

Why is aircraft tracking a priority?

Accurate and automatic aircraft tracking ensures early detection of operational deviations, timely response to emergencies, and direct support for accident investigations — enhancing not only passenger safety but also the logistical efficiency of search and rescue operations in remote or oceanic regions.

The Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) for normal tracking, along with the emergence of the Location of an Aircraft in Distress Repository (LADR) — developed by ICAO and global regulatory authorities, led to the requirement for continuous monitoring of commercial flights, in effect since 2018 through amendments to ICAO Annex 6.

The next evolutionary step in this global system is the full implementation of the LADR, officially launched on June 25, 2024.

What is the Location of an Aircraft in Distress Repository (LADR)?

The LADR is a centralized international repository, hosted by Eurocontrol, designed to store, process, share, and provide access to the location data of commercial aircraft identified as being in distress. It bridges communication gaps among operators, search and rescue organizations, controllers, and regulatory agencies. When an emergency signal is detected, critical location data is instantly transmitted to authorized parties worldwide, maximizing the effectiveness of rescue and investigation efforts.

Current implementation and next steps

The LADR has already begun pre-operational testing, and its first functional phase has been launched globally, integrating satellite and ground-based tracking systems in synergy with existing platforms used by airlines and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).

Universities and technology centers are collaborating on the development of advanced data fusion and cybersecurity algorithms for the LADR.

With LADR entering full operation, operators, ANSPs, and SAR teams gain standardized, rapid, and secure access to emergency information, significantly enhancing prevention, response, and resilience in uncertain-location scenarios.

The launch of the LADR represents the joint commitment of global authorities — ICAO, FAA, CASA, EASA, NASA, and Eurocontrol — together with the academic community, to build a commercial aviation system that is truly traceable, transparent, and resilient in crisis situations.

Staying ahead in the adoption and integration of these systems is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a strategic imperative for protecting lives and strengthening global operational safety.

Safe flights!

Captain Luiz Bassani

References

Aircraft Tracking – ICAO (https://www.icao.int/aircraft-tracking)

FAA – Federal Aviation Administration

CASA – Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Australia)

NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration

EASA – European Union Aviation Safety Agency

Eurocontrol

ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization

GADSS Documentation

Academic research and studies on aviation safety and aircraft tracking

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