Airbus supporting the scientific community on climate research

20 years after the launch of MOZAIC, seven Airbus widebody aircraft (six A340-300s and an A330) equipped with measurement devices are flying daily and internationally, with the support of the programme’s associated airlines: Lufthansa, China Airlines, Air France, Iberia, Cathay Pacific and Air Namibia.   

“There is today no atmospheric or climate model which does not use the huge MOZAIC and IAGOS databases to adjust results” said Rainer Von Wrede, Airbus’ head of environment for engineering and research and technology. “Thanks to our participation and the strong partnerships with airlines, laboratories and institutes the scientific community has a much better understanding of the atmosphere and climate change.”    

The scientific data collected, including near real-time data provision for weather prediction, climate and air quality forecasting, are verified and added to the MOZAIC/IAGOS database with free access given to international scientific and policy-making communities. The measurement devices capture key information needed for research, such as aircraft parameters (date/hour, geo-localisation, wind direction and speed, temperature, pressure) and atmospheric data such as concentrations in ozone, water vapour and carbon monoxide.