VATM signs LOI on Strengthening Aviation Meteorology Collaboration

As weather patterns and the effects of weather on aviation operations cross geographical boundaries, regional collaboration is needed for effective mitigation strategies. Therefore, establishing a transnational cooperation framework is necessary to to better tackle the effects of weather on aviation, as changes in weather patterns result in more flight delays and diversions, disruptions to airport operations and turbulence and other aviation safety concerns around the world.

Initiated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the National Environment Agency (NEA), a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Strengthening Aviation Meteorology Collaboration was recently signed between CAAS, NEA, CANSO, EUROCONTROL, International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), other regional  ANSPs and meteorological service providers (METs). The Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) is one of the ANSPs that signed the Letter of Intent, alongside CAAS, the Air Traffic Management Bureau of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (ATMB/CAAC), the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Administration (HKCAD), and the Japan Air Traffic Management Agency (JANS).

The Letter of Intent was signed on 8 December 2025 in Hong Kong China at the CANSO Asia-Pacific Conference on “Seamless APAC Airspace – Aviation and Meteorology Integration”. This is the world’s first such conference, gathering aviation and meteorology professionals to foster collaboration and jointly address weather effects on aviation.

Under the Letter of Intent, the parties agree to:

1. Strengthen regional integration between MET and Air Traffic Management (ATM) communities, including MET-MET and MET-ATM cooperation, to support more coordinated and resilient operations.

2. Identify and pursue joint research and development priorities including:

   (i) Weather phenomena that significantly affect ATM such as turbulence, low visibility, lightning, convection and wind shear

   (ii)  Sustainability, including emissions reduction and contrail assessment; and

   (iii) Worker protection, including safety measures against adverse weather phenomena such as snow, extreme heat and lightning

3. Enhance sharing and integration of weather data for better situational awareness and decision making.

4. Build capability within MET and ATM communities to more effectively tackle the challenges posed by adverse weather and manage its operational impacts.

Mr. Han Kok Juan, Director-General, CAAS and Chair of the Asia-Pacific CANSO CEO Committee, said: “Changes in weather patterns are affecting aviation operations all over the world, including in Singapore. We take this seriously and are taking concrete steps to address it through better leveraging technology, including AI, integrating national aviation and meteorology expertise and regional partnership.”

Mr. Nguyen Cong Long, Director General, Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) said: “For VATM, the safety and efficiency of Vietnamese airspace is our absolute priority. Climate change presents increasingly unpredictable weather challenges that directly impact air traffic operations and management. We recognise that high-quality meteorological services are not just a support function, but an essential pillar enabling Air Traffic Controllers to make accurate and timely decisions. By strengthening collaboration with meteorological partners, applying advanced forecasting technology, we are committed to building a robust, efficient and reliable aviation safety network, better prepared for all weather challenges, ensuring our vigilance is the foundation of air transport resilience.”