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WP3 – Operational Airline Demonstration Flights for Contrail Avoidance

Work Packages

WP3 will provide real-world evidence that contrail avoidance is technically and operationally feasible. With over 400 test flights, it will build a valuable dataset that demonstrates how routing changes can reduce climate impact — without major disruptions — laying the foundation for widespread operational adoption.

Goal: Test whether airlines can avoid creating harmful contrails during regular flights — and what it costs.

How:

  • Plan and carry out over 400 commercial flights optimized to avoid contrails.
  • Use software and satellite weather data to adjust routes.
  • Collect detailed flight data for analysis.

Why: To prove that contrail avoidance is technically and economically possible — and to help make it a part of regular airline operations.

TUIfly In Flight Measurements

TUIfly Boing 737

TUIfly Boing 737

Key Technical activities:

  1. Flight Trial Concept Development
    Design of the demonstration flight program, defining data flow and requirements for contrail predictions using ECMWF weather forecasts (Task 3.1).
  2. Flight Trajectory Optimization
    Development and deployment of contrail-aware flight planning tools, including pre-tactical (pre-flight) and tactical (in-flight) optimization features. This includes integration of CoCiP-based contrail forecasts and simulations of over 1000 re-routed trajectories (Task 3.2).
  3. Execution of Demonstration Flights
    TUIfly     will operate more than 400 passenger flights optimized for contrail mitigation. Each flight will be assessed for differences in fuel burn, route, time, and operational feasibility compared to standard routing. All flight data will be collected and shared (Task 3.3).
  4. Weather Forecasting Improvement
    The DWD will enhance its ICON numerical weather prediction system by assimilating satellite observations (including all-sky radiance data), improving humidity and cirrus prediction accuracy for flight trial support (Task 3.4).

Partners involved: FLIGHTKEYS GmbH (FKY, Lead), TUIfly, German Aerospace Center (DLR)