Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR) for Kenya

The improvement in KMD forecasting and services will be derived from the utilisation of AMDAR within existing and new forecast applications and processes. To achieve this outcome, the AMDAR data must be recieved, quality controlled, and processed by KMD. It will then be integrated into the KMD existing operational infrastructure and applications. 

Kenya Airways improved flight operations and resulting reduced environmental impacts of its operational fleet will be achieved through the provision of AMDAR data from the aircraft fleet to KMD, who will use the data to improve forecast and services to KQ and the wider aviation sector. The improved forecast products and services will then be utilized by KQ to improve flight operations and fuel management processes. 

Improved forecasting services and meteorological products, resulting from the provision of AMDAR data and its inclusion in predictive meteorological models can have significant positive impact of aviation operations. 

Examples of weather conditions disseminated via AMDAR data, and playing a significant role for airlines, airports and air traffic controls are:

• Thunderstorm genesis, location and severity
• Additional and improved wind information near airports
• Detection of zero-degree level (freezing rain)
• Fog formation, location, and duration
• Turbulence location and intensity 
• Conditions leading to aircraft icing 

AMDAR benefits to the airline industry also include:

• More efficient flight operations
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Increased safety and passenger comfort 

AMDAR data, used to improve weather reporting and forecasting, can support airlines in reducing their annual fuel burn, which in turn results in reduced noise and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through the continuous descent approach. 

Additionally, AMDAR data contributes to regional and global efforts to measure and monitor envionmental and climatological patterns and trends. Particularily in regions where upper air data is scarce but aviation traffic is present, the development of AMDAR is vital to studying and better understanding the mechanisms for and impacts of climate change at both the regional and global level.

Better forecasting enables more efficient use of agricultural inputs, and can ensure lower crop losses due to extreme weather or natural disasters. Increased accuracy in forecsting also enables the agricultural sector to optimize the post-harvest supply chain. 

Using improved weather information, governments, communities, and health NGOs can better prevent the spread of climate sensitive diseases such as cholera, dengue and meningitis. 

Annually, approximately 1 million lives are claimed by weather- and climate-sensitive diseases, and it is estimated that 23,000 could be saved each year through improvements to health resulting from more accurate weather monitoring and forecasting.

Accurate weather predictions can improve predicition on the scale, location, and severity of extreme weather events, and trigger preventitive responses to severe weather and natural disasters.

Using weather data can reduce human and economic losses from floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires.