In recent years, there have been notable advances in the science of forecasting the weather by solving the thermohydrodynamic equations governing atmospheric flow by using numerical methods. The development of an operational numerical weather-forecasting system requires a high level of expertise in areas such as fluid dynamics, atmospheric physics, numerical methods, supercomputers, space-based remote sensing, and radar. By incorporating the better forecasts into planning and decision making, improved levels of efficiency have been achieved within weather-sensitive areas of both industrial and service sectors of the economy. The Meteorological Office has developed a computer-based weather-forecasting system for civil aviation that permits the provision of weather forecasts for any aircraft anywhere in the world. Information provided by airlines has indicated that they are saving an additional £50M per year through reduced aviation fuel consumption directly related to the improved forecasts. Current research indicates that further substantial improvements to weather forecasting will be achieved within the coming decade, enabling meteorology to be integrated even more closely into air traffic control and airline operations.