Real-time weather insights help reduce flight delays

DNSA and SITA partner to boost airline safety

Managing air traffic in Europe’s busy skies is challenging enough without unpredictable weather, but France’s air navigation service provider, DNSA, in partnership with SITA is trialing game-changing real-time weather tools.

Designed to provide controllers the same live data used by pilots and airline dispatchers, the proof-of-concept at the Reims Area Control Centre tested SITA’s Enhanced Weather Awareness System (eWAS) and Mission Watch over the summer of 2025. 

Across 21 days with weather-related capacity impacts between July and October 2025, DSNA used these tools to track and respond to fast-changing conditions across multiple airspace sectors. 

The results showed that flow managers were able to anticipate weather shifts more precisely, reducing delays by up to 65 per cent – an estimated 60,000 to 105,000 minutes saved – while maintaining full safety. 

These operational gains also translate into financial benefits: handling 2,700 extra flights at an average en-route charge of €750 per flight equates to roughly €2.02 million in additional revenue for the same period. No incidents related to loss of traffic awareness were reported during the trial.

“Weather is one of the biggest challenges for air navigation service providers,” said Gael Barbezier, Head of Operations at Reims ACC. “Working with SITA allowed us to maintain full safety, avoid any weather-related uncontrolled situations, and adjust capacity precisely to the weather avoiding unnecessary reductions in traffic. It feels like we’ve found the key to bringing stability to something that has always been unpredictable.”

Originally developed for airlines, SITA eWAS and Mission Watch give pilots and dispatchers a detailed, continuously updated view of global weather. Together, they provide a single, consistent source of information that helps controllers adjust regulations precisely and restore normal traffic flows more quickly.

“Our collaboration with DSNA shows what can be achieved when everyone in aviation shares the same live picture of the sky,” said Yann Cabaret, CEO, SITA for Aircraft. 

“When controllers, pilots, and dispatchers all see accurate, real-time weather information, they can plan and adapt together. That means fewer delays, smoother operations, and safer flights for passengers. This proof-of-concept demonstrates the spirit of Trajectory Based Operation, where flights are managed using a shared, data-driven view of their exact route and timing, showing how shared data can make a practical difference every day.”

Following the success of the trial, DSNA has access to a refined version of Mission Watch and continues to work with SITA to tailor the solution for the evolving needs of air navigation service providers.