From the very first powered flights of the Wright brothers to today’s highly automated and interconnected aircraft, weather has remained one of the most decisive factors influencing flight safety and operational efficiency. Adverse  weather affects every phase of flight: strong winds, snow, and ice complicate ground operations; low visibility challenges take-off and landing; turbulence and icing threaten passenger comfort and aircraft performance; and large-scale phenomena such as convective weather systems, volcanic ash clouds, and tropical storms can fundamentally alter route planning

For a full overview of the ECA's position on weather information for flight safety, please download the attached file.

ECA, March 2026