Space Weather Services for Aviation - Changes and Challenges

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy identified space weather observations and modeling as a priority to maintain safe operations for aviation during space weather storms. Effects of space weather on aviation operations can directly impact the safety of flight. These effects include degradation or loss of HF radio transmission and satellite communication signals, navigation system disruptions, avionics errors, and increased radiation exposure to passengers and crew. Therefore, airlines require space weather warnings and forecasts for flight planning, particularly at high latitudes and polar routes. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) provides operational space weather products supporting aviation. These services expanded in 2019 when the International Civil Aviation Organization introduced a new space weather information service supporting global aviation. SWPC is one of four ICAO-designated centers providing ICAO space weather advisory information supporting international air transport. Both the SWPC and ICAO products provide useful information in support of aviation, but there are still considerable gaps between the services provided and the needs of the aviation industry for accurate and timely space weather information. SWPC is working with federal partners, industry, and international allies to address these gaps and enhance resilience to the effects of space weather on aviation.