Aircraft-Based Atmospheric Observation Project "CONTRAIL" Transitions to Next-Generation Aircraft

< Simultaneous announcement by National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Meteorological Research Institute of Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., JAL Foundation, and JAMCO Corporation >
 
1. The Ministry of the Environment of Japan has supported the Aircraft-Based Atmospheric Observation Project "CONTRAIL*¹" jointly implemented by National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Meteorological Research Institute of Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., JAL Foundation, and JAMCO Corporation since 2006.
*1 CONTRAIL: Comprehensive Observation Network for TRace gases by AIrLiner

2. The CONTRAIL Project has utilized Boeing 747-400 aircraft (until 2010), 777-200ER aircraft (until 2023), and -300ER aircraft (scheduled for use until 2026) to observe greenhouse gas concentrations (mainly carbon dioxide (CO₂)) and other substances in the upper atmosphere at wide spatial scales and high frequency. Since 2014, aircraft modification and manufacturing of two observation instruments*² have been performed for operation with Boeing 787-9. Starting this month, the CONTRAIL Project commences atmospheric observations using the first modified aircraft (Boeing 787-9).
*2 Continuous CO₂ Measuring Equipment (CME) and Automatic Air Sampling Equipment (ASE). CME continuously measures and records CO₂ concentrations every 10 seconds while an aircraft is ascending and descending, and every minute during horizontal cruises. ASE automatically collects air samples at predetermined locations during cruises. Air samples of ASE are analyzed at laboratories on the ground to obtain concentrations of CO₂, methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and others.

3. Additionally, modifications of four more Boeing 787-9 aircraft are planned within FY2025, which will further strengthen the observation system to a total of five aircraft.

4. Through atmospheric observation using the next-generation aircraft, we will continue to monitor changes in greenhouse gas removals and emissions on a global scale and in large cities, while also contributing to verification of the effectiveness of emission reduction measures.