MMS Launches Aviation Weather Operations at Maafaru Airport

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has commenced aviation meteorological operations at its Maafaru Meteorological Office, establishing its sixth weather observation station at an international airport in the Maldives.

The new service is expected to strengthen weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities at Maafaru International Airport, one of the country’s busiest airports for private jet traffic during various periods of the year.

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An automatic weather station was already operating at the airport. However, the nearest manual observation station was previously located at Hanimaadhoo International Airport. As a result, airlines operating to and from Maafaru relied on weather data collected from both the automatic station at Maafaru and the manual station in Hanimaadhoo.

According to MMS, the launch of the new service marks an important step in strengthening aviation weather support at Maafaru Airport. The service said it remains committed to providing accurate, timely and reliable meteorological information to support safe and efficient aviation operations across the Maldives.

Speaking to PSM News, MMS said the addition of the Maafaru station increases the number of manual weather observation stations used for aviation forecasting in the Maldives to six. The other manual stations are located at Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Gan and Hulhulé airports.

Meteorological information relating to airport conditions and the wider weather situation in the Maldives must be provided to the aviation industry every hour. During severe weather events, real-time updates on changing conditions are also required for flight operations.

MMS said the establishment of a manual observation station at Maafaru will improve the accuracy of weather forecasting for the region and enhance the quality of information available to airlines.

The service continues to provide weather information for the aviation sector, fishermen and seafarers, while monitoring weather conditions across the Maldives around the clock and issuing updates on changing weather patterns and their impacts.