ALTA commemorates World Meteorological Day

The association emphasizes the symbiosis between meteorology and aviation

March 22, 2023

Panama, March 23, 2023 – On March 23, the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) celebrates World Meteorological Day. This event highlights the importance of this type of observation for flight safety and efficiency and the industry's close relationship with meteorology.

 

Few people know that airlines play a key role in weather data collection. Thanks to onboard sensors and systems, aircraft get valuable information about weather conditions, and this information allows them to make real-time decisions about flight routes, altitude, and aircraft speed, which not only improves the flight experience for passengers but also reduces the environmental impact of aviation.

 

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), about 80% of the atmospheric observation data used for weather forecasting is collected from observations taken by aircraft. In fact, about 700,000 weather data measurements are made daily by commercial airlines worldwide.

 

"On this World Meteorological Day, ALTA recognizes the importance of meteorology in aviation safety and efficiency and highlights their close relationship. Aviation is inherently innovative; it is an industry constantly developing and adopting new technologies. Thus, monitoring weather conditions and even contributing to fighting climate change is key. According to the FAA, using real-time weather information to adjust routes and altitudes can reduce fuel consumption by up to 5% per flight, which translates into a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions," says José Ricardo Botelho, ALTA's Executive Director & CEO.

 

WMO estimates that these observations taken by aircraft have significantly improved the accuracy of weather forecasts and the ability to warn of hazardous weather conditions, which has contributed to a decrease in weather-related air accidents.

 

This is why ALTA stresses the importance of meteorology for the aviation industry, flight safety and its climate impact, Botelho summarizes.