Civil aviation is highly dependent on accurate and reliable weather information. Satellites provide the perfect overview for every long distance flight. Pilots heading to or leaving Europe and Africa are able to consult the latest Meteosat image for the actual weather situation 'en route'. Meteosat weather satellites currently deliver one image every half an hour, and the new MSG satellites will improve the rate to one every 15 minutes. Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) provides the aviation business with more detailed information about ice clouds, storm cells and improve the forecasting of extreme weather around airports. According to Bramhill Consulting (UK), the satellite-based weather observation is estimated to contribute to 120 Million Euro savings per year for safety, transportation and agriculture in Europe. The field of satellite meteorology is about to enter a new era with the launch of MetOp-A, the first in a series of three new polar-orbiting MetOp (Meteorological Operational) satellites.