Overview
- Union minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the SkyCast facility at Indira Gandhi International Airport on May 29, 2026, marking the system’s official commissioning for operational use.
- SkyCast combines instruments such as a Radar Wind Profiler, SODAR, microwave radiometer, GFAS aerosol sensor and a CL61 lidar ceilometer with the VizAir analytics suite to profile temperature, humidity and winds up to about 10 km and several kilometres for wind.
- The platform produces automated five-minute nowcasts and hazard alerts for wind shear, fog formation, inversions, low-level jets, icing and turbulence and supports Integrated Wind Shear Alerting System outputs for runway-specific guidance.
- Officials from DIAL/GMR, the Ministry of Science & Technology, MoES, IITM and IMD say the system is expected to strengthen safety, improve pilot situational awareness and reduce weather-related delays and diversions, though measured operational impacts have not yet been independently verified.
- SkyCast builds on the 2015 WiFEX research at IGI Airport and is slated for a second installation at Jewar with further rollout planned; its data may also improve urban forecasting, pollution management and disaster response, which could cut disruptions for travelers and city dwellers.