The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is developing the framework for a turbulence information sharing platform that it hopes to launch in 2019, IATA said Tuesday.
In a briefing prepared for presentation during IATA’s Global Media Day, Gilberto Lopez Meyer, IATA’s senior vice president, safety and flight operations, said the organization has been asked to develop a global database of real-time, aircraft-sensed, turbulence reports. He also said that a central repository of turbulence data will enable pilots, flight dispatchers and meteorologists to limit injuries that occur during in-flight turbulence encounters.
Turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to airline passengers and crews globally. He said that an airline with 100 aircraft could expect 30 to 50 turbulence events per year resulting in injuries to passengers and/or crew and that some studies suggest that the frequency and strength of severe turbulence events are increasing.
IATA said it is developing the framework for an information sharing platform in collaboration with multiple airlines and industry stakeholders.
