Ross Aimer explains how extreme heat impacts aircraft takeoff and necessitates weight reductions for safe flight.
Extreme heat significantly disrupts air travel by creating thinner air, which makes it harder for aircraft wings to generate lift and for jet engines to perform efficiently. Ross Aimer, a retired United Airlines captain and CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, noted that hot air is less dense than cool air, requiring airlines to lighten the plane's load by removing passengers or cargo to ensure a safe takeoff. This is particularly evident in desert climates and at high-elevation airports like Denver. Research indicates that human-caused climate change may increase these disruptions more frequently. A 2017 study by Columbia University and NASA projected that some airports could see weight restrictions on 10% to 30% of flights during the hottest parts of the day by midcentury. In places like Las Vegas and Phoenix, triple-digit temperatures have become more common, forcing airlines to manage weight limits to maintain flight schedules. When removing weight is insufficient, airlines may cancel flights or ask passengers to volunteer for later departures.