A new Clare-based technology, which will allow all flights around the world to be tracked for the first time ever, has been described as revolutionary.
The system, known as Aireon ALERT, will be operated from the Irish Aviation Authority’s base at Ballygirreen on a 24/7 basis and track the movements of every single airborne aircraft.
Up until now, just 30% of the surface of the earth could be monitored by aviation experts in the event of an aircraft getting into trouble.
This could hamper efforts in finding plane debris and in some instances, such as Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014, it was never found at all.
But now, thanks to today’s announcement here at the IAA’s Ballygirreen base near Newmarket-on-Fergus, things will change.
60 satellites have been launched into space with the help of Elon Musk’s firm SpaceX and Seán Patrick, General Manager of Oceanic Services at centre in Clare, says they have changed the face of aviation.
Experts right around the world, including here in Clare, have been working on this development for a decade now and it’s finally ready to roll out.
Don Thoma is the CEO of Aireon, the US company which drove the tracking technology – he says working with partners across the globe was crucial in their work:
And aside from being hailed as a game-changer in the aviation sector, today’s news will also lead to a jobs boost for Clare.
Peter Kearney, CEO of the Irish Aviation Authority, expects further growth at their Ballygirreen base as they expand on this technology.
