ABOUT
A global reference system for aviation.
The World Aviation Information System (WAIS) is an independent research, reference and publishing platform dedicated to the systematic study of the global aviation system.
ABOUT WAIS
WAIS was created to provide a coherent framework for describing and analysing the global aviation system. It brings together information on airports, airlines, traffic, networks and geographic structures within a common reference system.
Rather than treating individual datasets, classifications and rankings as separate products, WAIS connects them within an integrated system designed to support comparative research, reference use and the development of consistent global aviation data.
WAIS is developed as an independent project with a global scope and a long-term commitment to systematic, transparent and reproducible aviation research.
WHAT WAIS DOES
WAIS combines data, classification and research within a single reference framework for understanding the global aviation system.
CLASSIFY
Develop consistent frameworks for identifying airport functions, system roles and other structural characteristics of aviation.
MEASURE
Compile and compare traffic, network and other quantitative indicators across airports, airlines and regions.
CONNECT
Link airports, airlines, geographic structures and operational relationships within an integrated information system.
PUBLISH
Produce reference publications, datasets, rankings, maps and research based on the WAIS framework.
PRINCIPLES
WAIS is developed according to a set of principles intended to make aviation information consistent, comparable and transparent across different geographic and analytical contexts.
GLOBAL SCOPE
Apply a worldwide framework while preserving meaningful regional and national differences.
CONSISTENCY
Use common definitions, classifications and data structures across the WAIS system.
COMPARABILITY
Organize information so that airports, airlines, regions and aviation systems can be examined on a consistent basis.
TRANSPARENCY
Document definitions, sources, reporting periods and analytical decisions where relevant.
SOURCE-BASED DATA
Base WAIS data on identifiable and documented sources, prioritizing authoritative sources where available.
REPRODUCIBILITY
Maintain sufficiently explicit definitions and analytical procedures to allow WAIS results to be understood and reproduced.
FOUNDER
VADIM STEPANOV
Vadim Stepanov is the founder and editor of the World Aviation Information System (WAIS). He develops the project’s conceptual frameworks, classifications, global datasets and research publications, including the WAIS Airport Functional Classification and World Airports Ranking.
