How Data Will Make Air Travel Safer

Airlines and air traffic controllers use a lot of information to keep passengers safe, integrating weather readings, physical information about the plane, passenger data, and other kinds of data. But as the uncertainty surrounding Malaysia Airlines Flight 370′s disappearance confirms, better information and ways to act on it will be crucial for the future of air safety. The technology to make air travel safer exists, but realizing these benefits will require investments in new equipment, integration of information systems, and coordination between government agencies both domestically and internationally.