Benefits of WICAP

The primary aim of the WICAP is to build upon the well-established benefits of the existing AMDAR programme through its expansion and enhancement.

The benefits of the WICAP and the justification for the approach taken are explained here.

Benefits to the AMDAR Programme

IATA’s participation will lead to an increase in the number of participating airlines and meteorological services. Through advocacy on behalf of the programme, IATA will make it easier for additional airlines to be recruited.
The global and regional approach of WICAP will allow the Programme to grow much more rapidly and efficiently than under the current, largely national approach while at the same time enabling a significant reduction in overall operating costs.
A structured approach to engagement with airline partners through IATA will allow a much better and more widely understood business case and justification for participation of airlines in AMDAR, leaving WMO and meteorological services to concentrate efforts and resources on data management and provision of data to users, weather applications and service providers.

IATA will facilitate the provision of a much better and more widely understood business case and justification for participation of airlines in AMDAR under WICAP.
Improved data management practices based on a uniform data policy protecting airline ownership of data.
Opportunity to make better use of AMDAR data for flight operations.
A smaller number of regional data processing centres will make it simpler and easier to secure access to and security of data.
Introduction of standardised operation/airline agreements ensures agreed uniform data policy will be implemented and adhered to.
Provision of simplified technical solutions for airline programme participation.
Wider promotion of partner airline participation in a programme that assists in environmental monitoring and responsibility.

Faster and more efficient expansion of the AMDAR programme over data-sparse areas leading to improved upper-air data coverage.
Continued access to AMDAR data under the WICAP Data Policy in accordance with WMO Resolution 40.
Through centralised data management, better quality assured, and improved access to, AMDAR data.
Regional approach to AMDAR operation will enable reduced overall programme costs through sharing of centralized (regional and global) infrastructure and other operational costs.
Regional and global planning and determination of requirements will lead to optimisation of the number of airlines and aircraft required at the regional and global levels to most efficiently meet requirements for AMDAR observations.
AMDAR data coverage will be optimised nationally, regionally and globally, readily allowing data to be produced for specific purposes and applications.