On December 21, the Meteorological Big Data Sharing and Service Cloud Platform Aimed at Better Aviation Safety and Efficiency project, jointed developed by ATC Office of CAAC and relevant entities from China Meteorological Administration, passed the acceptance inspection. This platform, which is an enabler of full sharing at national level of civil aviation meteorological information, is a historical breakthrough in meteorological information sharing between China Meteorological Administration and CAAC, which will contribute to a higher flight operation efficiency and make our meteorological service more competitive internationally.

By using big data, cloud calculation, internet and other technologies, this project provides airlines, airports, ATC units, operation monitoring units and other parties involved in commercial air transport and general aviation operation with meteorological big data and forecast and early warning products sharing and services, which aim at further addressing such issues as the lack of en-route and regional meteorological information, inadequate service in the provision of low flight level meteorological information, low efficiency in obtaining meteorological data during flight operation, and insufficient capability in providing forecast and early warning of severe convection weather condition.

This platform also provides airlines, airports, general aviation operators and other stakeholders involved in aviation activities with internet-based free service, which allows them to gain meteorological information in more efficient and convenient way and leads to an annual estimated operation cost saving of at least 150 million yuan for the civil aviation industry. It is worth noting that this is the first platform in China to provide general aviation community with internet-based meteorological information and products. In addition, the online operation of the platform also provides the conditions for the marketization of meteorological services and lays a foundation for the provision of the meteorological data, which will play an important role in changing the status quo featuring a single service provider of civil aviation meteorology information.