As the summer months bring record-breaking heat waves, air travel is being impacted in unexpected ways. High temperatures can cause flight delays and cancellations due to reduced air density, which affects aircraft performance. According to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor Cary Grant, a hot summer day can impact flight operations just like snow or ice.

Air Density and Flight Safety

Airplanes rely on denser air to generate lift for takeoff. However, high temperatures cause air molecules to spread farther apart, making the air less dense. This can lead to reduced engine performance and decreased lift, making takeoff more challenging. To ensure safe departure, airlines may need to use longer runways or reduce the weight of the aircraft by offloading cargo or passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that in some cases, airlines can reduce aircraft weight to safely take off by offloading cargo or passengers. They may also reduce the amount of fuel loaded to accommodate all passengers, which could result in a fuel stop to reach their intended destination. However, sometimes the heat is too severe, and there is no data in the operations manual that would allow the plane to be flown.

Heat waves can also affect crew members and passengers. Airport ground crews in hot climates can be exposed to oppressive heat, and airlines must protect their health. Inside the cabin, airlines want to make it comfortable for their customers, which is why flight attendants sometimes ask passengers to close their window shades as the plane pulls to the gate to help keep the interior as cool as possible.

Recently, American Airlines was forced to remove 32 passengers from a flight out of Las Vegas during an extreme heat wave. The problems caused by hot weather are becoming more common, and passengers are frequently left with little choice but to be prepared for delays and cancellations in hot weather.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.