Google Launches Operation Blue Skies to Tackle Aviation Climate Impact

Google is partnering with the UK Government and aviation leaders to use AI to reduce the climate impact of flights over the North Atlantic. The project, called Operation Blue Skies, aims to avoid contrails, clouds created when water vapor condenses around soot particles in jet exhaust.

The operation will take place within the eastern half of the North Atlantic corridor, Shanwick airspace, which accounts for approximately 5% of global contrail warming. Over 30 months, the project will conduct two operational trials, each lasting four months, and involve around 10,000 flights from hundreds of cities.

A consortium of organizations has been formed to make this happen: Google UK is developing AI models to predict and avoid warming contrails, while NATS (the UK's leading air navigation service provider) will handle trial airspace operations. Other partners include Contrails.org, Imperial College London & University of Cambridge, and the Met Office.