IATA tries to improve plane tracking systems - Tyler

DOHA, June 2 (KUNA) -- Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Tony Tyler affirmed Monday that the association is working to improve the plane tracking systems worldwide.
In the wake of the disappearance of a Malaysian passenger plane, IATA has set up a team of international experts tasked to find solutions and solve this mystery by the end of September, he told reporters.
Tyler made the comments on the sidelines of the IATA's 70th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit, being hosted by Qatar Airways (QA) in Doha.
The tragic accident of the Malaysian airliner sounded the alarm and raised questions about how a plane could disappear without leaving any trace; this issue is a major concern for all and will feature prominently in the discussions of the AGM, he pointed out.
On the illegal intervention of the Venezuelan government in the aviation industry, Tyler renewed the call for the government in Caracs to honor its commitment made in March to permit the repatriation of USD 3.9 billion of airline funds at fair exchange rates.
He cautioned that that failure to release the funds puts at risk a major contributor to the well-being of the Venezuelan economy - sustainable air connectivity.
These funds are generated from sales of airline tickets in Venezuela and are being held in contravention of international treaties. On the Gulf airlines, Tyler said there are three companies, including QA, which are listed among the world's fastest growing airlines.
On his part, QA CEO and AGM President Akbar Al-Baker said his company employs the state-of-the-art techniques in its efforts to modernize the civil aviation systems.
He called on the all governments to benefit from the experiences of more advanced countries in the aviation sector.
In the meantime, Al-Baker criticized the Indian government for levying high fees on the airlines using Indian airports. He voiced hope that the Indian government would adopt a more open policy in this regard, noting that lower taxes could encourage airlines to open new destinations to India, which would in turn result in more revenues to the Indian government.
The AGM opened earlier today in the presence of Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani; it provides an opportunity to celebrate the 100th anniversary of scheduled commercial aviation while laying the groundwork to ensure the second century of commercial aviation is even more successful, innovative and beneficial to the world than the first. The two-day meeting will address air transport's most pressing issues including: security, environment, profitability, distribution, infrastructure, unruly passengers, and industry reputation. (pickup previous) nnd.mmb.gb