The Weather Company and Gogo Business Aviation have partnered to reduce the impact of turbulence, a significant safety and cost concern for airlines. Turbulence contributes to roughly $100 million in annual industry costs when accounting for crew and passenger injuries, required maintenance, operational disruptions and aircraft taken out of service. By integrating The Weather Company’s patented turbulence-detection algorithm into Gogo’s aircraft-based communications server, operators will gain real-time access to turbulence-intensity reports. These reports will be distributed over both air-to-ground and global satellite communication networks so flight crews and operations teams can take immediate action when necessary.
This software is the first of its kind designed specifically to improve flight safety by addressing the leading cause of non-fatal injuries aboard commercial flights. With data sent directly to pilots and ground teams, airlines can better optimize routing and in-flight decisions to reduce encounters with turbulent air, limit injury risk and minimize costly operational impacts.
“In this increasingly connected world, it’s no longer just about passenger connectivity — we must also leverage technology to enhance the overall flight experience and improve safety,” said Andrew Kemmetmueller, vice president of connected aircraft services at Gogo. “Our ability to deliver real-time turbulence data through our network will help pilots and operations teams improve flight planning and ultimately enable airlines to provide a better in-flight customer experience throughout a flight.”