Recommendations
Recommendations for increasing the global coverage of AMDAR are as follows:
Ensure that current AMDAR participant airlines to transmit AMDAR data from Data Sparse Regions
Many of the airlines currently involved in AMDAR fly to destinations in the Data Sparse Regions. The simplest and easiest approach to increasing coverage may be to ensure that the current participants increase their data flow from their more remote destinations.
Figures 17 and 18 show potential coverage from US and European airlines (respectively) that are currently involved in AMDAR. Further analysis may be found in the Appendix.
Figure 17: US based, ACARS equipped airlines. Potential coverage of Data Sparse Regions.
Figure 18: European based, ACARS equipped airlines. Potential coverage of Data Sparse Regions.
Develop an overall AMDAR Marketing Plan
An overall marketing plan for AMDAR in the Data Sparse Regions should be developed, with subsidiary regional plans which utilize local and regional weather requirements from the local National Meteorological and Hydrological Services. These marketing plans should include target airlines based on their overall value to the region, as derived from the airline database provided.
Increasing AMDAR participation in the Data Sparse Areas is likely to develop from partnerships between the WMO, the local NMHS, ACARS communications suppliers and the airlines. These partnerships must provide value to each partner, and costs and benefits to each must be well understood.
For example, the satellite communication costs associated with AMDAR may be significant but moving from VHF ACARS to Satellite ACARS may pay dividends in terms of better air traffic control, severe weather avoidance, operational management and safety. Another example might be that improved weather forecasts may allow reduced fuel reserves on some flights, reducing the cost of unnecessary fuel carriage.
The ACARS communications suppliers, ARINC and SITA are the worldwide providers of ACARS data. It seems logical that these two companies would be natural marketing partners for AMDAR when pursuing partnerships with the airlines. Both organizations have substantial marketing and sales channels worldwide and have significant presence in the geographical areas that are of interest to AMDAR. As well, both of these organizations have relationships within the regions and individual countries.
It is also imperative that local governments be involved in any discussions. Many of the airlines in the Data Sparse Regions are fully or partially owned by the local national government. The local Civil Aviation Authorities and Air Traffic Organization should also be involved.
Develop a Business Case for participation by Airlines
In speaking to former management personnel at a major North American Airline for this report, it was found that, despite the best of intentions, AMDAR requirements, costs and potential benefits were not understood by the airline. This led the airline to decline to install AMDAR despite clear advantages to local and global forecast systems.
The business case must outline the benefit to the participating airline including;
Airline safety from improved forecast accuracy
Airline performance improvement from improved forecast accuracy
The economic benefits to the airline and country of origin as a result of improved forecast accuracy
Overall improvements to weather and climate data with implications to route and infrastructure planning
The business case must be clear and concise and speak to the costs and requirements for the individual airline, including software and installation costs, transmission costs, personnel costs and potential added data infrastructure required. This information must be tailored to the individual airline, and will involve airline personnel and information to complete.
Note that many of the AMDAR forecast improvement studies have been performed in areas of the world that already have a sophisticated forecast infrastructure. Improvements to forecast accuracy could be much greater in the data sparse areas described herein. In developing a business case the WMO and local NMHS meteorologists should consider the effect of AMDAR data on the local forecast accuracies and provide estimates to local government and the target airlines.
Process to enroll Airlines to AMDAR
The database provided will help to provide estimates of the quantity of AMDAR data available and areas covered by including the airline routes and frequencies the routes are flown.
Choose Region
What areas within the region are most important?
Choose airline(s) from the recommended airlines or coverage maps Approach airline(s) and obtain an Expression of Interest
Airline management must be willing to provide data to build the business case
Sign airline to AMDAR trial or contract
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