Airbus advances global weather forecasting with new generation of satellites

The MTG series includes instruments such as a lightning imager that tracks electrical discharges across continents. This helps meteorologists identify storm systems earlier than traditional radar allows. Pilots benefit from earlier warnings about turbulence hotspots, aiding decision-making during long-haul flights.

Airbus also works with organizations like EUMETSAT and national weather agencies to integrate these satellites into broader weather infrastructure. These partnerships ensure that data is processed and distributed for practical use in sectors including aviation, agriculture, energy, and transportation.

The impact extends beyond specialized users; Airbus’s satellites supply data used by smartphone weather apps accessed by millions daily. Accurate forecasts help airlines reduce delays, farmers minimize crop losses, energy providers anticipate demand spikes, and event planners avoid disruptions.

In addition to terrestrial weather forecasting, Airbus addresses “space weather”—solar storms and cosmic radiation—that can disrupt GPS signals or airline communications on polar routes. By developing monitoring tools for solar activity, Airbus aims to enhance resilience against such risks.

According to an Airbus statement: "It’s about ensuring that this information reaches the hands of people who need it most, from a farmer deciding when to harvest to an airline dispatch team plotting transatlantic routes, or a commuter figuring out whether to cycle to work."

As climate change increases the frequency of severe weather events globally and air traffic grows, improved forecasting becomes more important for passenger safety and operational efficiency in aviation. BBC News reported in August 2025 that Airbus’s efforts have global implications since their satellite data is shared internationally among meteorological organizations.

Weather satellites support not only flight planning but also climate modeling, disaster response efforts, agricultural planning, financial decisions tied to the “weather economy,” insurance policies, infrastructure projects, and military operations dependent on accurate forecasts.

"Every layer of society benefits from forecasts that are a little more accurate," according to Airbus.

As extreme weather events become more common due to climate change trends observed worldwide (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58130705), technologies like those developed by Airbus are expected to play an increasingly vital role in helping governments issue timely disaster warnings and supporting everyday decisions made by individuals around the world.