Rising temperatures could cause flight delays: Here’s why

NewsIncreased temperatures could cause flight disruptions due to thin air that could make it harder for aircraft to take off safely.Canva/Katherine RodriguezBy Katherine Rodriguez | NJ.comAirline passengers are well aware of flight disruptions due to rain, snow or wind, but did you know that extreme heat could be another cause for those disrupted travel plans?According to the Associated Press, extreme heat can make it harder for aircraft to depart safely due to the thinner air.To compensate for the lack of air, the airline may have to remove passengers, cargo or fuel to decrease the plane’s weight.Airlines reduce a plane’s weight during extreme heat as standard industry practice to ensure safe takeoff.“There is a science behind all this,” Ross Aimer, a retired United Airlines captain and CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, told the AP. “You can’t deny the science of flight and what it takes for an airplane to operate.”Will flight delays due to hot weather become more common?While the Federal Aviation Administration does not set a maximum temperature for takeoff. Aircraft operating limits vary based on make and model, weight and airport altitude.A 2017 study from Columbia University, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and the Logistics Management Institute found that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, some airports could see weight restrictions on 10 to 30% of flights departing during the hottest parts of the day.The study looked at 19 airports worldwide and found that airports with short runways, high altitudes and hotter climates would be subject to the weight restrictions.Over 1,904 flights delayed, 652 canceled amid widespread U.S. travel disruptionsTSA pleads with travelers not to hide these live animals in electronicsMajor cruise line announces new Caribbean beach portOver 1,579 flights delayed, 128 canceled amid widespread U.S. travel disruptionsAllegiant Airlines adds new in-flight perks to its cabin experienceKatherine Rodriguez covers national trending news for the consumer life, finance and money team. For 5+ years now, Katherine has covered trending topics such as travel advisories, TSA-related news, recalls, the...