Bahraini-owned Mena Aerospace Enterprises WLL, a diverse group with a focus on aircraft management and charter, is working on a project to predict the weather. It has been selected by Bahrain meteorological service to upgrade its weather radar system at the Bahrain international airport.

Ralph Eisenschmid, coo, says: "As operators of aircraft ourselves, we have a vested interest in this project. Nevertheless, this is an important project for Bahrain, and we are privileged to be part of it."

The system will be manufactured and installed over the next few months in collaboration with Mena's US partner Enterprise Electronics Corporation of Enterprise, Alabama.

Eisenschmid says: "The system has an advanced capability of forecasting adverse weather conditions for Bahrain and the surrounding region. Once fully commissioned, the system will provide a complete picture of the real-time weather conditions in and around Bahrain and equip airlines, pilots and aircraft operators with the data they need to make informed decisions." The beneficiaries will include Mena's charter operations.

Eisenschmid adds: "The real-time weather data collected from the radar system will be provided to a number of government agencies that rely on weather information to keep the public safe. The system is capable of being networked with other systems in the region to provide large scale observations and forecasting tools."

The system will also help private charter operators. Eisenschmid says: "The new weather radar will assist BMS weather forecasters in preparing short term forecast for high impact weather events which may affect the safe operations of aircraft at Bahrain international airport and for the fishermen in the seas surrounding Bahrain."