Jersey Met, which provides meteorological services to the Channel Islands, is working more closely with its UK counterparts to improve safety and convenience for air travellers. Its aim is to limit the impact of extended periods of fog, as has been experienced in Jersey recently.
Jersey’s meteorologists have been working to maintain and improve links with the UK Met Office Aviation team. The UK Met has forecasters working in teams at Gatwick, Heathrow and EasyJet Operations at Luton.
Fast and direct access to the teams at Gatwick and EasyJet Operations helps provide a better service to Jersey Airport, by, for example, allowing forecasters to exchange information about local fog conditions.
Recent foggy conditions have disrupted travelling arrangements for thousands of islanders. Last week, when no flying was taking place, Jersey Met's forecasters were exceptionally busy providing professional advice direct to commercial pilots about their chances of landing.
Consequently, few pilots tried to land, saving fuel for airlines and wasted time for the passengers.
The closer working relationship and direct communication also meant that when a brief window of opportunity to fly opened, Jersey-bound commercial pilots were able to make the most of it very quickly.
Principal Forecaster at Jersey Met John Searson said: “Our close proximity to the runway at Jersey Airport, combined with the strong links we’ve forged with our UK counterparts, means that when weather conditions improve or deteriorate – as they do rapidly – we can quickly communicate those changes.
“During poor weather, our forecasters spend a considerable amount of time talking to commercial pilots, and even more so in foggy conditions, when pilots ask for advice before launching.
"The forecasters’ current uninterrupted view of the full runway allows them to give real-time, second-by-second information to pilots.”
Pictured: the first jet to land on 10 March, when the fog finally lifted following direct advice and guidance from Jersey Met