Delhi Airport Launches Advanced Weather Intelligence System to Improve Flight Safety
Delhi Airport News
New Delhi: In a major step towards strengthening aviation safety and reducing weather-related disruptions, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has launched India’s first integrated aviation weather intelligence and nowcasting system, named SKYCAST. The advanced facility was inaugurated by Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh on Friday.
The new system is designed to provide real-time weather monitoring and early warning alerts for critical aviation hazards such as fog, turbulence, wind shear, icing, low-level jets, and poor visibility. Officials said the technology will help pilots, airlines, airport operators, and air traffic management teams make faster and more accurate operational decisions during adverse weather conditions.
Developed under the government’s Mission Mausam initiative, SKYCAST integrates several advanced atmospheric monitoring technologies into a single platform. These include Radar Wind Profiler (RWP), Microwave Profiling Radiometer (MPR), SODAR (Sonic Detection and Ranging), Automated Weather Stations (AWS), Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS), and lidar-based ceilometers. The system continuously monitors atmospheric conditions and generates highly detailed weather data in real time.
According to officials, the platform can assess atmospheric conditions from ground level up to nearly 10 kilometres in altitude. It tracks temperature, humidity, cloud liquid water content, wind speed and direction, visibility levels, and turbulence patterns. The system also provides short-term weather forecasts and operational nowcasts updated every five minutes, enabling aviation stakeholders to respond quickly to changing weather conditions.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh described SKYCAST as a landmark achievement for India’s aviation sector. He noted that only 18 similar integrated atmospheric monitoring systems currently exist worldwide, making India the 19th country to deploy such advanced aviation weather technology. The minister said the facility would significantly reduce flight delays, cancellations, and diversions caused by fog and severe weather, particularly during Delhi’s winter season.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said the system would improve runway operations, air traffic flow management, and overall operational preparedness. With more than 1,300 flight movements every day, Delhi Airport is among the busiest aviation hubs in the country and often faces disruptions due to dense fog and rapidly changing weather conditions. SKYCAST is expected to enhance situational awareness for pilots and controllers, ensuring safer take-offs and landings.
The launch of SKYCAST marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernise aviation infrastructure and strengthen weather forecasting capabilities. Authorities also indicated that similar systems could be expanded to other major airports across the country in the coming years.
