Turbulence is a growing safety concern in aviation, yet current tracking tools are limited by imprecise data, subjectivity, and delays, leading pilots to take precautionary actions like keeping seatbelt signs on or changing altitude, often at the cost of passenger comfort and fuel efficiency. Accurate, real-time turbulence data shared across the industry would empower pilots and dispatchers to make informed decisions, improving safety, confidence, and operational efficiency.
Data as of today
3000+ Reporting Aircraft
30+ Airlines feeding data to the platform
50+m Turbulence reports received in 2024
1.2+bil Passengers served since inception
Access accurate, objective, aircraft-generated data
With objective, automated, in-situ turbulence reports, dispatchers, pilots and cabin crew can:
- Know exactly where turbulence and smooth air are, and take appropriate action
- Be able to reassure passengers and cabin crew
- Optimize fuel burn
Contribute to better situational awareness for all
By contributing objective, automated, in-situ turbulence reports, commercial aviation can:
- Help provide a more complete picture of atmospheric turbulence
- Improve the accuracy of turbulence data at different altitudes
- Work towards increasing global coverage and eliminating blind spots
Testimonials
“IATA’s collaborative approach to creating Turbulence Aware with open source data means that airlines will have access to data to better mitigate turbulence. Using Turbulence Aware in conjunction with Delta’s proprietary Flight Weather Viewer app is expected to build on the significant reductions we’ve seen already to both turbulence-related crew injuries and carbon emissions year-over-year”
Jim Graham, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at Delta Air Lines
"EDR is a powerful tool for making decisions on altitude changes and route changes, especially on long-distance international flights, due to its objectivity and ease of use. Up until now, flights over the Pacific have largely relied on predictions from meteorological data, and the pilots’ ability to obtain real time turbulence reports is limited.
However, it is now possible to obtain the latest EDR data using the aircraft's Wi-Fi to obtain a more accurate ENROUTE status via integrated weather tools running on EFBs. As a result, it not only realizes efficient altitude selection and comfortable flight with less shaking, but also reduces the risk of injury in the cabin.
We hope that more airlines will join in the future, and that EDR data will continue to grow."
Yuki Hayashi et al. Captain, Flight Operation Center at All Nippon Airways
Contact us for more information
If you have any questions about Turbulence Aware or would like to discuss how our solutions can help your business, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to implement EDR turbulence reporting capability?
IATA endorses a free open-source EDR algorithm developed by National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Airlines can either do it in-house with IATA implementation support or through a third party.
How is the data ownership addressed in the context of IATA Turbulence Aware?
Airlines own their data. Turbulence Aware has strict data release policies in place put together with an Advisory Group consisting of airlines that are part of the program, which clearly define how the airlines’ data can be used.
My airline already uses dispatch & flight deck tools for viewing various weather data. Do we have to use IATA’s MET Viewer to display turbulence reports?
Your airline or your third party provider can integrate the Turbulence Aware data as an overlay onto your existing tool. The MET Viewer is simply a complimentary visualization tool for the airlines that have no other way to view turbulence reports. The MET Viewer can also be used as a temporary solution until Turbulence Aware data is integrated into your existing tools. Airlines have full flexibility on how they operationalize the data.
If pilots know there will be turbulence, what can they do?
If a trailing aircraft observes turbulence on an aircraft ahead, action can be taken to secure the cabin and significantly reduce the chance of resulting injuries. If there is sufficient time, pilots can request a different altitude or heading to avoid the turbulence. This data also has significant value to pilots and dispatchers preflight for increased situational awareness of turbulence on their planned route.
How does Turbulence Aware Data assist with improving fuel efficiency?
The EDR value can be used to fly at operationally efficient altitudes. Additionally, wind & temperature data is also included with every EDR report. These two data points can be utilized by pilots to update the aircraft’s FMS (Flight Management System), ultimately providing more accurate Optimum Flight Level predictions. Furthermore, safer, fuel-efficient diversions during convection avoidance will be possible should there be EDR reports of preceding aircraft available. Some countries may also offer grant programs to fund part of a Turbulence Aware implementation utilizing the tax collected on aviation fuel.