The WMO Department of Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and partners, conducted a workshop to improve upper-air observations in Africa.

The workshop brought together National Focal Persons on Aircraft-Base Observations (ABO) and WMO-IATA Collaborative AMDAR Programme (WICAP) to plan the improvement of ABO and the AMDAR programs as a contribution to the Regional Basic Observing Network and the Global Basic Observing Network in Africa. AMDAR is the primary observing system of the ABO., and its development over the coming years will continue to be a high-priority area, especially for Africa, which has very few upper air data observation points.

 The participants will discuss Africa regional implementation plans for aircraft-based observations and AMDAR and review the programs with a view of bringing on board more Airlines in Africa to participate. Already Kenya Airways and South Africa Airlines are key partners. The workshop will also explore ways and opportunities to expand the program to include other airlines such as Ethiopia Airlines, Egypt Air, Morocco airlines and other airlines in Africa.

Kenya Airways, which was in attendance, decried the lack of sufficient weather data in Africa, which it said, always makes them keenly review their safety measures depending on the available weather information at any given time. And that airlines require reliable weather products with high levels of accuracy. The development of the ABO Systems is primarily based on meeting requirements for upper-air observations as determined through the WMO Rolling Review of Requirement process and related actions of the Implementation Plan for the Evolution of the Global Observing System.

The meeting also seeks to explore financial opportunities to maintain the ongoing AMDAR program, support its expansion, and engage with the airlines to define the needs of the aviation sector in terms of weather forecasting services