As airport chaos becomes the new norm, popular flight-tracking app Flighty released a new “Airport Intelligence” feature that gives users real-time alerts about airport disruptions with reasons across 14,000 airports in the world. This release is timely, given that tensions in the Middle East have caused multiple flight delays, cancellations, and airport shutdowns, while the U.S. has been facing a shortage of Transportation Security Administration agents, leading to closed security checkpoints and extra-long lines.
The startup is releasing the feature as a web dashboard, as well, so all users can track disruptions for free.
The company said it uses the same data pilots and airlines use to power this feature. This includes thousands of real-time airport advisories, including Meteorological Aerodrome Reports (METARs), Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs), Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs), and more.
This gives Flighty a picture of airport operations such as ground stops, landing procedures, and other safety protocols.
Image Credits:Flighty
Flighty said that while airport events are described in a technical language in the data, it translates these messages into simple language to let users understand how their journey could be impacted through Airport Intelligence.
“Airport meltdowns are increasingly common, and historically it would take a pilot, controller, or a serious aviation expert to explain why, until now. “Airport Intelligence turns raw data into real insights, so you always know what’s happening at your airport,” Flighty CEO Ryan Jones said.
The new update also introduces more features such as airport warnings with reasons like hail, low visibility, de-icing, and lightning; airport delays forecast with AI-powered summaries to inform users about how different factors can affect their flight; and Deep Airport Stats, which shows busiest airlines, most impacted routes airport rankings, official flight rules, and direct links to airport websites and directions.
Image Credits:Flighty
The update also includes favorite airport alerts and airport boards, showing all arrivals and departures at any of the airports with performance trends. What’s more, you can also compare airport visits with friends within the app.
In addition to the intelligence feature, Flighty now includes a TV mode for broadcasters, creators, and newsrooms to show the live status of an airport on a screen with an updating ticker.
