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Environment — Transportation

Why Rising Temperatures Could Delay More Flights

Researchers also warned that airports are particularly vulnerable because of the urban heat island effect, where large areas of concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat.

,   and  TIPP Staff
2 min read
Rising temperatures could keep more flights from taking off on time. Pic via(@CTVNews)

Rising temperatures are expected to create increasing challenges for the aviation industry by making aircraft takeoffs more difficult during periods of extreme heat.

According to the report, American Airlines recently reduced the weight of a flight departing Las Vegas after temperatures reached 114 degrees Fahrenheit, offering compensation to passengers who volunteered to give up their seats so the aircraft could depart safely.

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The report said hotter air is less dense than cooler air, reducing both engine performance and the lift generated by aircraft wings. Aviation experts noted that airlines may need to limit passenger numbers or cargo during extreme heat to meet safety requirements.

Researchers also warned that airports are particularly vulnerable because of the urban heat island effect, where large areas of concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat.

According to the report, airports in Phoenix and Palm Springs have experienced a sharp increase in days with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Studies by Columbia University and NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies project that, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, weight restrictions could affect 10 to 30 percent of flights at some airports during the hottest part of the day by the middle of the century.

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tippinsightsTIPP Staff

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