by Elsie Clark | Nov 18, 2025 | Connectivity, Innovation
DSNA, the French air navigation services provider, have executed a successful pilot of SITA’s weather intelligence technology.
During a proof-of-concept at the Reims Area Control Centre, DSNA tested SITA’s Enhanced Weather Awareness System (eWAS) and Mission Watch over 21 days from July to October 2025. Originally developed for airlines, these SITA products provide continuous real-time updates on global weather.
During the pilot, DSNA were able to use that information to plan traffic flow significantly more effectively. The authority reported that they were able to reduce delays by up to 65% and handle 2,700 more flights, resulting in an extra €2 million in revenue.
Gael Barbezier, Head of Operations at Reims ACC, commented:
Weather is one of the biggest challenges for air navigation service providers. Working with SITA allowed us to maintain full safety, avoid any weather-related uncontrolled situations, and adjust capacity precisely to the weather avoiding unnecessary reductions in traffic. It feels like we’ve found the key to bringing stability to something that has always been unpredictable.
Unexpected disruption due to weather events can seriously derail airport operations. Earlier this year, stormy weather and poor visibility led to the closure of Nice Airport after two aircraft nearly collided on the runway. With the number of severe weather events only set to increase due to climate change, it is imperative to find better solutions for managing air traffic whatever the climate conditions.
Yann Cabaret, the CEO of SITA for Aircraft, added:
When controllers, pilots and dispatchers all see accurate, real-time weather information, they can plan and adapt together. That means fewer delays, smoother operations and safer flights for passengers.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026 to learn more about innovative tech in flight planning and airport management.
For more like this, see:
by Elsie Clark | Sep 24, 2025 | Flight Ops IT, Innovation
Optimising flight operations is an increasingly popular topic as the aviation industry tries to reduce emissions and make processes as efficient as possible. But how can data be used to effect meaningful change?
With disruption costing the industry as much as 8% of its revenue, effective flight planning is key to remaining competitive. At Aerospace Tech Week 2025, we sat down with Murray Skelton, Vice President of Business Development at FLYHT Aerospace Solutions, an FTG company, to discuss the future of flight ops.
Most aircraft receive weather updates that are 15 minutes out of date, which can result in delays when flying in unexpected conditions. Skelton discusses how real-time weather updates onboard are essential for ensuring flights operate in the best possible conditions at all times.
We should have, as a community, almost a mandate that says all aircraft that are flying should effectively be flying weather stations.
Weather stations such as the UK Met Office are investing in powerful supercomputers to make forecasts as accurate as possible. But Skelton argues that these computers are only as powerful as the data they provide.
They need more data, and the best place and actually the cheapest place to get the data is to turn aircraft into weather stations.
The conversation also covers the urgent need for aviation to modernise its connectivity infrastructure. With volumes of aircraft expected to double by 2042, leveraging data will be key reducing operational strain.
Right now, ACARS is still the number one communications tool of an airplane. It’s something from 1958, equivalent to very early texting with cellular phones. IP systems are out there, but uptake is quite slow.
Skelton nevertheless remains optimistic about the future, anticipating different ways in which superior data and transmission will enhance flight ops.
The data is getting cheaper. The transmission of data is getting cheaper. And that’s all going to help – but we’re not there yet.
🎥 Watch the full interview to hear Murray Skelton’s full interview on data in aerospace.
Questions asked include:
- How can effective flight planning minimise disruption?
- The number of aircraft in operation is set to double by 2042. How important is it for airlines to leverage data to navigate this transition successfully?
- How do you maintain data quality and ensure all information is reliable and accurate?
For more like this, see:
You must be logged in to post a comment.