---
title: "SAIRA-A Aviation Host Support"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06b533"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b533"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b533.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b533.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MET OFFICE"
published: "2026-06-15"
---

# SAIRA-A Aviation Host Support

Buyer: MET OFFICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b533

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b533.json)

## Summary

The contract titled "SAIRA-A Aviation Host Support" was managed by the Met Office, a central government public authority based in Exeter, UK. The procurement falls under the industry category of research and experimental development services. The project transitioned management from STFC to Met Office when the prior contract under the SWIMMR programme ended. The contract was awarded on 31 January 2026, with a service period from 2 February 2026 to 1 February 2027. This procurement was conducted through a direct method below the competitive threshold, allowing Met Office to continue the services with Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited.

This contract presents growth opportunities for businesses involved in aviation and research services, particularly those with long-haul capabilities, given the requirement for flying radiation monitors across high latitude and altitude routes. Large-scale aviation service providers, similar in stature to Virgin Atlantic Airways, or those exploring partnerships with the Met Office and British Airways, might find lucrative prospects by engaging in scientific and experimental development projects. These collaborations not only help expand service offerings but also contribute valuable data to the development of new radiation models.

## Notice

The project is for Virgin Atlantic to continue to fly radiation monitors (known as SAIRA) developed by the University of Surrey under the Space Weather Innovation, Measurement, Monitoring and Risk (SWIMMR) programme. At present Virgin Atlantic are under contract to STFC to fly two monitors onboard aircraft. As this contract and the SWIMMR programme has come to an end Met Office will take over management of the contract from STFC. For the best result these radiation monitors need to be flown as continuously as possible to capture increases in atmospheric radiation due to solar events, ideally across high latitude, high altitude routes as this is where the radiation effects are most acutely felt. This means that long haul carriers are preferred, in the UK this is Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. We are also intending to set up an agreement with British Airways. Current data collected during flights has proved invaluable in validating new radiation models being developed for use by the Met Office (also under SWIMMR).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056280-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 31 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 2 Feb 2026 - 1 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £13,327 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MET OFFICE |
| Locality | EXETER |
| Post town | Exeter |
| Postcode | EX1 3PB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC |
| Local authority | Exeter |
| Electoral ward | Pinhoe |
| Westminster constituency | Exmouth and Exeter East |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

## Release History

- 15 Jun 2026 at 14:22 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056280-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056280-2026
  15th June 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b533. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b533.json.