New initiatives to reduce the exposure of flights to sudden severe weather disturbances

In light of the increasing challenges posed by weather disturbances (turbulence) in terms of their frequency and severity on air carriers around the world, Emirates Airlines has adopted a proactive approach based on data and intelligent analysis to reduce their impact on the travel experience, by planning smoother and safer flights.

The carrier adopted a multi-level approach that combines various data sources and advanced analysis techniques to provide real-time and accurate information about weather disturbances. This approach has contributed to reducing the number of unexpected cases of severe turbulence across the Emirates flight network, thanks to the initiatives it launched last year to enhance the experience of passengers and crew on board.

Captain Hassan Al Hammadi, Emirates Senior Vice President of Air Operations, said: “We realize that air turbulence represents an ongoing challenge that cannot be completely avoided, but we are committed to doing everything in our power to reduce sudden exposure to it, by working with partners who share our vision in employing advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to improve operations. Although we are still in the early stages, we have already begun to see tangible results that confirm the effectiveness of these systems.”

He added: “While we cannot promise completely turbulence-free flights, these initiatives have contributed to a significant reduction in sudden and severe incidents over the past year, making flights safer and more comfortable for our customers. Through our multi-layered approach in cooperation with weather forecasting partners and modern technologies, and our active participation in the (IATA Turbulence Aware) program, we contribute to providing the global aviation sector with valuable data and insights as we all work to confront this growing challenge.”

Emirates’ current weather monitoring system combines SkyPath, Lido from Lufthansa Systems, and IATA Turbulence Aware to form an integrated system that combines artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data collected from flights and pilot reports, as follows:

SkyPath: Emirates entered into a partnership with SkyPath last year to develop turbulence prediction capabilities using artificial intelligence and machine learning, with the aim of identifying areas that traditional methods may not be able to detect. The system relies on a community model that collects real-time reports from thousands of aircraft, to provide forecasts for areas that are not currently witnessing air activity, including turbulence known as “clear air.”

Data reaches pilots via multiple channels, including eddy vanishing rate (EDR) reports as a global unit of measurement, ADSB data, as well as SkyPath’s iPad-mounted accelerometer technology that converts device movement into precise turbulence data. This integrative approach ensures comprehensive worldwide coverage and high forecast accuracy.

Lido mPilot: Emirates’ longstanding partnership with Lido is based on the development of an advanced navigation application tailored to the airline’s operational needs. This application provides pilots with accurate and updated navigational information, including real-time data on cloud conditions, thermal activity, the possibility of turbulence, and ice formation. The application relies on reliable sources such as the German Meteorological Service to provide highly accurate reports, which enhances pilots’ awareness of surrounding weather conditions. Emirates continues to collaborate closely with Lido to improve the quality of weather data and expand its coverage globally.

IATA Turbulence Aware: Since joining the IATA Turbulence Aware program last year, Emirates has been actively involved in supporting the platform by contributing data from its scheduled flights across its extensive networks in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and other regions. This has contributed to enhancing knowledge throughout the aviation industry regarding forecasting and managing turbulence conditions with greater accuracy and effectiveness. Emirates’ navigational chart applications rely on processing global, real-time program data collected from thousands of flights daily, enabling pilots to review turbulence reports that are automatically monitored directly within the applications, allowing them to adjust air routes proactively, and enhance levels of safety and fuel efficiency.