Operation Blue Skies takes off: landmark trial to test AI-driven contrail avoidance

Operation Blue Skies takes off: landmark trial to test AI-driven contrail avoidance Sarah Collins Tue, 08/18/2026 - 15:29 Backed by the UK Government, ‘Operation Blue Skies’ brings together partners, including the University of Cambridge, to evaluate AI-driven flight path adjustments across North Atlantic airspace. Operation Blue Skies is a £5 million, 30-month programme, partly funded by £2.65 million from the Department for Transport. It includes two operational trials to be conducted during the winter months across NATS-controlled Shanwick oceanic airspace, the eastern half of the North Atl