The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will begin enforcing new rules to track Singapore-registered aircraft. Rules will apply to passenger aircraft weighing more than 27,000 kilograms and carrying more than 19 passengers, and cargo aircraft weighing more than 45,500 kilograms. With the new rules, airlines will be able to locate their aircraft via tracking at least every 15 minutes throughout the entirety of a flight. This tracking can be done manually or automatically until Nov. 7, after which automatic tracking will be required.

These rules coincide with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s goal to require 15-minute standard flight tracking for every oceanic flight by November 2018.

“The safety of the traveling public is always our priority,” said Kevin Shum, director-general, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. “CAAS has worked closely with the industry to advance the implementation of the latest rules on enhanced aircraft tracking. When fully implemented, our airlines will have added assurance of the whereabouts and safety of their aircraft operations throughout their network.”