Airlines may have to share weather data with IMD

The government is considering making it mandatory for domestic airlines to share real-time weather data collected during take-off and landing with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to enhance high weather forecast efficiency capabilities.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY @ New Delhi

However, domestic airlines may be unwilling to agree as it may increase the operational costs of airlines and airports.

Currently, it is optional for domestic airlines to provide real-time weather-related data to the concerned airport authorities. However, the law requires all major international airlines operating on international routes to provide weather-related data to airport authorities regularly.

Weather forecasts depend on the number of observations made in a region. Currently, the IMD launches weather balloons from over 60 locations to collect critical data on temperature, humidity and wind speed at various altitudes.