All Nippon Airways (ANA) has become the first airline in the world to implement an AI-based turbulence prediction service developed by BlueWX Company Limited. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in enhancing flight safety, passenger comfort and operational reliability through advanced weather prediction technology, a crucial advancement as turbulence concerns intensify.
ANA’s adoption of the system follows several years of extensive testing and validation. The turbulence prediction model, developed using deep learning techniques and a decade of turbulence data, has an 86 percent accuracy rate. Operational trials involving 2,500 ANA pilots confirmed its reliability, leading to its formal integration into ANA’s weather data infrastructure.
“As turbulence exacerbates due partly to ongoing global warming and becomes a major safety concern for the air transport industry, we are honored to start providing our leading-edge, AI-powered turbulence prediction for ANA flight operations,” said Kaz Watanabe, CEO of BlueWX. “ANA’s decision to use our service highlights the accuracy and reliability of our service, and we look forward to contributing to the crew and passengers of ANA and other airlines in the world in terms of flight safety and comfort.”
The turbulence prediction system has been in development since 2019 as part of a joint initiative between ANA and Keio University. Trial use began in 2021, with continuous updates improving the model’s accuracy and performance. ANA pilots expressed strong support for its continued use, citing accuracy against flight reports and greater effectiveness in real-world operations compared to traditional methods.
The advancement comes at a critical time, as turbulence remains one of the most pressing challenges in aviation. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), turbulence accounts for 30 to 50 percent of aviation incidents. Beyond safety concerns, turbulence also leads to economic losses, including damage to cargo and equipment, as well as flight delays and cancellations from unscheduled inspections that ensure safety during subsequent operations.
BlueWX, founded in July 2023 through an industry-academia collaboration between ANA and Keio University, specializes in AI-driven weather forecasting solutions. The company plans to expand distribution of its turbulence prediction service to other airlines and distribution partners worldwide, aiming to improve flight safety and operational efficiency across the aviation industry.
As the turbulence forecast model continues to improve in accuracy and expand its global coverage, BlueWX remains focused on research and development of next-generation safety technologies. The company is currently developing wind speed and direction forecast models to help optimize flight routes and support the aviation industry’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
For more information, visit www.ana.co.jp.
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