Visiting the Integrated Operations Centre of Cathay Pacific Airways

Colleagues from the Aviation Weather Services Branch of the Observatory visited the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) of the Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) on 16 March.  Mr. Gary Greenfield, then IOC Manager, and Captain Neil Phillips, Line Operations Manager of CPA, briefed the Observatory's staff on the roles and operations of the Centre.  Whenever high impact weather condition occurs, particularly during the approach of tropical cyclones, the management of Cathay Pacific will conduct special meeting at the IOC to discuss and plan  flight operation arrangements, taking into account the latest weather information provided by the Observatory's Airport Meteorological Office and other factors.  They indicated satisfaction with the Observatory's weather services provided during the passage of tropical cyclonces last year, and in particular they complimented on the Observatory's prompt actions in response to their suggestions.

Through the meeting, the Observatory's staff gained better understanding on the needs and expectations of the airlines on weather information and how they utilize and interpret aviation forecasts.  Besides, views and ideas on future development of aviation weather services such as the provision of probability forecast were also exchanged.

Figure 1  Mr. Gary Greenfield, then Integrated Operations Centre Manager of Cathay Pacific Airways (first left), explaining to the staff of the Observatory's Aviation Weather Services Branch on the operation of the Centre.