Delhi IGI airport receives India's 1st SkyCast System for enhanced aviation weather monitoring
New Delhi, May 29
Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh on Friday inaugurated India's first "SkyCast System" at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, to improve aviation weather monitoring and reduce fog‑related disruptions.
Only 18 such advanced systems have been deployed worldwide so far and India became home to the 19th one, Jitendra Singh said.
A second such facility will be deployed at Jewar Airport, followed by further rollouts at other airports, the statement from the Ministry of Earth Sciences said.
Dr. Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision behind "Mission Mausam" for making such futuristic weather infrastructure possible.
He said SkyCast will bring a major transformation in aviation safety by providing real-time information to pilots and aviation operators during critical weather situations.
Flight disruptions caused by fog and turbulence drop significantly and the system will provide advance alerts to aircrew and pilots even within short time windows of around three hours.
Hence, they can decide the safest time for landing and avoiding unnecessary diversions, cancellations and delays.
SkyCast combines multiple atmospheric observation technologies for fog monitoring, turbulence detection and high-impact weather forecasting. The system integrates state-of-the-art atmospheric remote sensing technologies, including Radar Wind Profiler, SODAR, Microwave Radiometer, Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) and CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer.
He said the facility will strengthen monitoring and warning capabilities across runways, making take-offs and landings safer.
The system combines Radar Wind Profiler, SODAR, Microwave Radiometer, Ground‑based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) and a CL61 Lidar‑based Ceilometer to deliver real‑time measurements of fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture and visibility for pilots, airlines and air traffic managers.
At the centre of the system is an advanced boundary layer Radar Wind Profiler, which continuously measures wind speed, wind direction, turbulence, vertical velocity and boundary-layer dynamics up to nearly 3 kilometres above the airport.
These parameters are crucial during aircraft descent and landing operations, where precise atmospheric information helps improve safety.
The system also integrates the CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer, which continuously monitors the vertical structure of fog, enabling better understanding of fog formation, visibility reduction and atmospheric conditions affecting aviation operations.
Beyond aviation, SkyCast observations will support advanced forecasting models, artificial intelligence-enabled decision support systems, urban weather forecasting, pollution management, transport advisories and disaster preparedness initiatives.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Very impressive technology! But I'm curious about the cost and maintenance. India has many smaller airports that also face weather issues. Will these systems be affordable enough for all major airports, or will it remain a Delhi-Jewar luxury? Also, let's not forget the human element – even the best tech needs well-trained operators. Hope the Ministry ensures proper training for ATC staff and pilots.
Great to see India investing in aviation safety infrastructure! 🇮🇳 The multi-sensor approach (radar, lidar, microwave radiometer) is exactly what other advanced airports use. 18 systems worldwide and India gets the 19th – that's significant. Now let's hope the data integration with airline systems is seamless so pilots actually receive these alerts in their cockpits without delays. Would love to see a live demo sometime.
Mission Mausam is a fantastic initiative! What's often overlooked is the broader benefits beyond aviation – pollution management, urban weather forecasting, and disaster preparedness. For a country like India where monsoons, cyclones, and heatwaves affect millions, this kind of integrated weather monitoring is the way forward. Just hope the politicians don't take all the credit while scientists do the real work 🙏
As a frequent flyer between Delhi and Mumbai, this makes me SO relieved! Winter fog cancellations have cost me several important meetings. But I wonder: how robust is the system during heavy rainfall or dust storms? Our weather can be extreme. Also, will this data be publicly available for researchers and meteorologists? Transparency would build trust and enable better climate science overall.
S Sanjay N