UK Government Trials Google AI to Minimize Persistent Contrails

The UK government is funding a 30-month project that combines Met Office weather forecasts with Google's artificial intelligence to suggest alternative flight paths for aircraft, aiming to avoid persistent contrails over the North Atlantic. The trial, scheduled for winters of 2026-27 and 2027-28, will determine if adjustments in routes or altitude can reduce aviation's contribution to climate change without requiring fleet replacement or new engine technology. Aviation minister Keir Mather stated that the project aims to make flying cleaner by testing small tweaks to flight paths over the Atlantic.