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WMO Regional Workshop on Aircraft-based Observations for Americas

Start date
End date
Location
Panama City, Republic of Panama

Activity Areas (1)

Aircraft-Based Observations
  1. Introduction

The United Nations Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, launched on November 7th, 2022, at Conference of the Parties at its 27th meeting (COP27), one of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) overriding priorities, aims to ensure universal protection from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027. Four pilar are the basement of this UN initiative:

From WMO perspective, observations from upper-air sources, especially those related to aviation industry, are critical for improving Numerical Weather Prediction products (NWP) and severe-weather forecasting. Data from Aircraft-based Observations (ABO) sources is recommended data of the WMO Integrated Global Observation System (WIGOS) and complements current existing radiosounding networks, especially over upper-air-data-sparse areas.

Several ABO sources have been developed by WMO Members and Air Navigation Services Providers (ANSP): Automated Data Surveillance (ADS) and Secondary Radar (Mode S) among other systems. The most well-known system is the Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR), which is a WMO programme that utilizes the existing aircraft avionics -or retrofitted like water-vapour sensors- in the collection of meteorological data. This information is transmitted to the respective National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to be exchanged through the WMO Information System (WIS), improving critical numerical weather prediction for aviation purposes and general community.

In 2020, it was established the WMO-IATA Collaboration Agreement Programme (WICAP) where IATA and WMO signed a joint venture to create a new AMDAR Programme at regional level. It was expected that Regional Associations and NMHS would lead ABO developments with partnership of IATA.

Several attempts to develop AMDAR Programmes over Latin America were established such as AeroMexico Programme and LATAM Programme. However, these programmes failed on the establishment of sustainable funding mechanism as well they have been affected by the consequences of the pandemic outbreak.

The most successful programme, the LATAM Programme, with contribution from SMN Argentina and NOAA, stopped its data provision with the LATAM bankruptcy in 2020-2021.

Nevertheless, operations of Aviation Industry have been recovering well since Q2 2024 and now airlines are in better condition (IATA Economics Report 07/2024) to support ABO programmes over data-sparse areas.

As Latin America (WMO region III/IV) and Africa (WMO Region I) have lack of dense upper-air data provision, they are priority to establish an ABO Programmed according to outcomes of Virtual Expert Team on Aircraft-Based Observations Meeting I 2024.  Currently NMHS such as NOAA, SMN Argentina and DECEA/ INMET Brazil have capabilities to process these data.

The main aim of this workshop is to:

  • Expand upper-air data provision through the foundation of a new RA III/IV Aircraft-Based Observations programme.

  • Engage targeted airlines to join RA III/IV Aircraft-Based Observations programme.

  • Demonstrate the contribution on ABO to support UNDRR Strategic Framework 2022-2025 and UNICEF initiatives:  by joining ABO programme which will enhance coverage of upper-air-data over data sparse areas and will improve NWP products – contributing with UN Early Warnings for All initiative (EW4All) initiative.

To facilitate the development of the regional ABO programme, IMPHA (Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá) in collaboration with WMO Regional Office for Americas (RAM), plans to host the regional workshop   during 10-12 December 2024 in Panama City, Republic of Panama.

  1. Scope

The Workshop will be co-organized by IMPHA and WMO. It would focus on the following two main areas:

I: Introduction of Aircraft-based Observations

  • Overview about different ABO sources: in situ observations and derived data.
    Concept of ABO tiered programs.
  • Impact of ABO into WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS);
  • Benefit for aviation, meteorological and general community.
  • Non-conventional ABO data: UAS;

II: Development of ABO Programme for Americas:

  • Requirements for establishment of ABO programme;
  • Engaging airlines to participate: AeroMexico, Caribbean Airlines, Avianca Airlines, COPA Airlines, GOL and Azul Linhas Aereas and LATAM Airlines;
  • Discussion about funding mechanism for Americas. 
  • Progress on avionics related to ABO: Data Service Providers (DSP) and products available for ABO programme.
  • Coordination between aviation stakeholders and environment monitoring

3. Expected Outcomes

The Workshop is expected to deliver the following:

  • Establishment of the WMO ABO Programme for Americas with contributions from NOAA/Collins Aerospace, donors, and the target airlines.

  • Introduction and demonstration of ABO programmes in the Americas domain.

  • Fostering collaboration regarding ABO among NMHSs, airlines, UN entities, and aviation industry through meetings leaded by Regional ABO Team for Americas.

4. Target Participants

  • Members of TT-ABO (RA III) and ET-SBW (RA IV);

  • Representatives from regional airlines;

  • Representatives from Aviation Industry

The Workshop is organized and supported by the WMO Secretariat including the Regional Office for Americas (RAM) and the Infrastructure Department.

5. Date and Venue

The Workshop will be organized as a three-day hybrid event and located in Marriot Hotel Panama, Republic of Panama.

The event will be conducted both in English and Spanish.

5. Registration

All interested people should be registered though this form.

5. Agenda

Provisional agenda available here