International Conference on Managing the Impact of Weather on Air and Space Launch Operations

EUROCONTROL hosted the International Conference on Managing the Impact of Weather on Air and Space Launch Operations at our Brussels Headquarters on 12-13 November 2025.

Weather plays a critical role in the success and safety of both air and space launch operations. Effectively managing its impact is essential not only to ensure safety but also to minimise operational costs. Despite advances in forecasting, challenges such as inflight icing, hazardous landing conditions, and undetected clear air turbulence remain significant contributors to aviation accidents. Moreover, weather-related delays continue to disrupt global air traffic, while climate change introduces additional uncertainties.

Organised by the Air and Space Academy, in partnership with Ingenieurs et Scientifiques de France (IESF), this conference aimed to explore how decision-makers can leverage enhanced weather data and cutting-edge processing techniques to improve operational safety and efficiency.

The event brought together stakeholders from airlines, air navigation service providers, airports, general aviation, weather services, research institutions, aircraft manufacturers, regulators, and more, to exchange ideas and uncover innovative solutions.

Programme

The conference kicked off on 12 November 2025, and included:

• Welcome address: Tânia Cardoso Simões, EUROCONTROL Director Aviation Transformation
• Conference Opening: Bruno Stoufflet, AAE President
• Keynote – The airlines standpoint: Willie Walsh, IATA Director General

The conference focused on the following topics, which were covered in four different sessions:

• Facts and figures of weather impact in air and space launch operations
• Improving weather management through innovative tools and solutions
• Decision-making processes and accountabilities
• Research for the future of weather management.

More information is available on the event's official website.