Weather's impact on flights to be studied as disruptions rise sharply

Surge in flights diverted from Changi due to weather; agencies to improve forecasts

- Esther Loi

A new national programme will study the effects of bad weather on flight operations in Singapore after six times as many flights had been diverted from Changi Airport so far in 2025 because of negative weather conditions.

The Aviation Meteorological Programme is jointly set up by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and National Environment Agency (NEA).

The programme will build research and development, as well as operational, capabilities to mitigate and manage the effects of weather on air traffic control, airlines and airport operations.

It will focus on five critical weather phenomena that affect flight operations in Singapore and the region.

Clouds, rain and wind generated by the rise of warm air and sinking of cool air in the atmosphere known as convective weather were responsible for a sharp increase in flight diversions at Changi Airport, from nine between January and November 2024 to 55 during the same period in 2025.

CAAS and NEA said on Dec 9 that convective weather in the region translates to greater unpredictability of thunderstorms that cause sudden changes in wind speed and direction. These thunderstorms can occur and dissipate abruptly.

Both agencies said they will work towards improving the forecasting of bad weather to support real-time decision-making and optimise airport operations.

One of the areas of focus will be lightning.