Can Tweaking Plane Routes Cut Aviation’s Climate Impact? An Airspace-Wide Contrail Trial Will Test…

Operation Blue Skies, a UK-backed trial, will test AI-guided flight rerouting to avoid climate-warming contrails over the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area over two winters. Part-funded by the UK Department for Transport, the £5 million trial uses AI contrail forecasts from Google and others. Modelling suggests altitude adjustments of up to 2,000 feet could cut contrail formation by 60-70% for only ~1% more fuel burn. Contrails account for about one-third of aviation's climate impact.