Summary
- BA is rolling out two new weather apps, enhancing flight planning with real-time data for pilots and operation teams.
- The apps will improve operational decisions with up-to-the-minute weather info, leading to better adaptability before and during flights.
- The investment in modernizing operations aligns with BA’s commitment to sustainability and improving the passenger experience.
British Airways has announced it will start using two new next-generation weather apps to help it plan flights optimally. The new technology will replace the airline’s existing manually-produced weather report system, delivering instant weather data for better planning decisions.
BA to roll out new weather apps
The British carrier will implement two new weather apps into its operations ahead of the summer travel season, enhancing the quality of weather data for both pilots and flight planning teams. The first app – Guidor by French firm SkyConseil – will give pilots access to real-time weather data from The Weather Company, delivering accurate and instant weather data.
Photo: British Airways
As for the second app, set to roll out in the future, BA’s Integrated Operations Control Center will have access to WSI Fusion, which will coordinate with the first app pilots are using – this app draws on a wide range of data, including radar, satellite and meteorological sources, to better predict weather patterns on the flight path.
René de Groot, Chief Operating Officer at British Airways, said,
“It’s exciting that we’ll be the first UK airline to combine the technology of both apps, which will allow us to make even better operational decisions in the moment using real-time data. These applications represent a step-change in the quality of weather information we receive, and, in the future, will enable pilots to collaborate in real-time during a flight with operational colleagues on the ground, allowing faster decision-making for a variety of issues like diversion planning and recovery.”
The airline says the apps were specifically curated to “meet the exact needs” of its network, which now comprises destinations in over 75 countries. British Airways is investing heavily in modernizing its operations, having announced a £7 billion ($8.8 billion) investment last month – one of its recent upgrades involved replacing a paper-based engineer log system with a new Electronic Aircraft Maintenance (eLog) system.
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This is just one of the several initiatives as part of the airline’s £7 billion investment in sustainability.
No more manual reports
The airline currently has a manually-produced weather report system that relies on data compiled earlier in the day, meaning pilots and operations teams don’t have access to up-to-the-minute information. With these new apps, changes can be made both before departure or mid-flight to adapt to changing weather conditions.
Photo: British Airways
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These weather forecasting platforms ensure flight safety.
This is a big benefit not just for the airline but for its passengers too, helping flights stay on schedule and avoiding adverse weather events. Additionally, these systems will use the carrier’s onboard WiFi, which is installed on the vast majority of BA’s fleet – the airline says its entire Gatwick fleet offers inflight connectivity, while over 80% of its Heathrow fleet have WiFi connectivity, with the remaining aircraft due for upgrades by the end of 2025.
