The new satellite receiving system for the National Weather Service (NWS) will improve the aviation industry in Papua New Guinea.
The new upgraded system, launched this week by NWS in Port Moresby, is a powerful tool for tracking analysis of high quality accurate weather forecast in PNG.
Weather forecasters will be able to receive data faster in 10 minutes intervals unlike in the past when the old system provided data hourly.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) PNG chief operating officer Captain Tom Waqa the new equipment will provide massive improvements as far as aviation, weather forecasting and reporting is concerned.
Waqa said it’s a big advantage for the airlines that operate in the country.
The new system was funded by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and receives data via the Himawari 8 Satellite which is owned by Japan and used by countries in the Asia Pacific Region.
Waqa said airlines will be able to benefit from it as far as accuracy of forecast which has been an issue particularly for Jacksons Airport.
Aircrafts have to carry certain amounts of fuel depending on the weather forecast for the destinations.
“I am sure that Air Niugini particularly will be very happy once this system is in place and reliability of weather forecasting, not only for international flights but also domestic.
“It’s encouraging to hear that we are getting updates every ten minutes with this new system which is a big plus for domestic operators in PNG as they can get more accurate weather forecast,” said Waqa.
He added that this is a big improvement for CASA PNG in terms of international standards for weather reporting and provision of weather services.
Waqa stressed that 2018 is the APEC Leader’s Summit and this again is an important part of improvement within the overall civil aviation system in PNG.