What does the alerting service do for aircraft in need?

The alerting service plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of aircraft that are in distress or have an emergency situation. When an aircraft signals a need for assistance, the alerting service promptly notifies the appropriate organizations, which may include search and rescue teams, emergency services, and relevant air traffic control units. This immediate notification is vital for initiating a coordinated response to assist the aircraft in distress.

The emphasis of the alerting service is on communication and coordination rather than direct assistance on radar, traffic guidance, or weather updates, although those services are also important to air traffic safety. Therefore, the function of notifying the correct authorities and organizations in emergency scenarios is what distinguishes the alerting service within air traffic management.