Emirates Launches New Initiatives to Reduce Unexpected Severe Turbulence
- Joe Breitfeller
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Emirates has today announced a commitment to investing in multiple data sources to ensure improved global turbulence prediction accuracy. This includes technologies such as IATA Turbulence Aware, Lido mPilot from Lufthansa Systems and SkyPath.
On Wednesday (October 29, 2025), Emirates announced that they have taken a proactive, data-driven approach to address unexpected severe turbulence. The carrier has adopted a multi-layered strategy, leveraging a range of information sources to deliver real-time, accurate turbulence data. This approach is helping Emirates reduce unexpected severe turbulence encounters across their network. The launch of new initiatives last year has helped enhance the onboard experience for the airline’s passengers and crew.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Emirates’ Divisional SVP – Flights Operations, Captain Hassan Alhammadi, said,
“We recognise that turbulence remains an ongoing challenge that cannot be completely eliminated, but we're committed to doing everything possible to minimise unexpected severe turbulence encounters through working with partners who share our vision of using advanced technologies and adopting AI to enhance operations. While we are still in the early stages, we are already seeing validation of the potential benefits these systems can deliver.
“While we cannot promise turbulence-free flights, these initiatives have contributed to a significant reduction in unexpected severe turbulence incidents over the past year, helping make journeys safer and more comfortable for our customers.
“Our multi-layer approach with weather prediction and technology partners and active participation in the IATA Turbulence Aware programme also enables us to contribute valuable data and insights to the broader aviation industry as we collectively work to address this growing meteorological challenge.”
Currently, Emirates’ weather detection protocol brings together complementary solutions from SkyPath, Lido mPilot from Lufthansa Systems and IATA Turbulence Aware, delivering breakthrough innovation through AI, machine learning, and real-time crowd-sourced turbulence data, as well as pilot reports.
In 2024, Emirates partnered with SkyPath to develop and improve AI and machine learning-based weather predictions that identify turbulence areas conventional methods miss. SkyPath’s platform integrates real-time turbulence reports from thousands of aircraft with cutting-edge analytics, using advanced AI and machine learning to generate accurate predictions, even for areas with no current flight activity or challenging ‘clear air’ turbulence. SkyPath collects information from various data sources, including Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) data for universal turbulence measurements, Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADSB) transponder data, and SkyPath’s patented iPad accelerometer technology that translates device movement into precise turbulence measurements.
Emirates’ long-standing partnership with Lufthansa Systems delivers a customized mobile navigational charting application, Lido mPilot, which is tailored to the airline’s operational requirements. In partnership with sources like the German Weather Service, Lido mPilot provides high-accuracy weather reporting, live cloud and convection data, plus turbulence and icing predictions. Emirates continuously collaborates with the Lido team to improve weather data quality and global coverage.
Additionally, since joining IATA’s Turbulence Aware Programme last year, Emirates has been actively contributing and consuming real-time turbulence data from their extensive network across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia. This data feeds into IATA’s global turbulence platform, which aggregates inputs from participating airlines worldwide to provide a comprehensive, real-time view of atmospheric conditions.
All of these insights are integrated into Emirates’ electronic flight bag (EFB) charting application, equipping pilots with live turbulence visualizations. This enables more informed decision-making in the cockpit, allowing crews to anticipate and avoid turbulent areas, ultimately enhancing guest and crew comfort, operational safety, and fuel efficiency.
Source: Emirates