As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, the embattled airline industry is bracing for a new set of challenges. Rising temperatures and humidity could make it more difficult for planes to take off, leading to delays and cancellations.
LISTEN:
Dan Bubb, a former airline pilot and current professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says that the three factors that most affect airplane performance are high altitude, heat, and humidity.
"If you have an airport that's high elevation, you have what's called density altitude," he says. "That means the air is thinner, and the airplane takes a longer distance to take off on the runway."
Heat can also affect airplane performance. "When you have hot weather, the engines don't perform as well," Bubb says. "And then humid. The humidity also substantially affects airplane engine performance."
These factors can combine to create problems that are becoming more prominent with climate change. "If for example, the weather is too hot and you have a very heavy wide body jet, they may have to delay the flight until later in the evening when the temperature is cool enough," Bubb says.
This could lead to delays and cancellations, which could test passengers' patience. "I know it's hard, people have travel schedules and they're trying to adhere to their travel schedule, but everybody's really gonna have to be patient this summer, given the weather, given the shortage of pilots and air traffic controllers, and there likely will be delays and cancellations," Bubb says.
The airline industry is already facing a number of challenges, including a shortage of pilots. Climate change could add to these challenges, making things more difficult for airlines, but Budd assures passengers that "there might not be as many flights, there might not be flights at the same time that people are used to them. But you're still gonna have a dependable departure and arrival time. It just will be a lighter flight schedule this summer."
It is still too early to say exactly how climate change will affect the airline industry. However, Here are some tips for travelers who are concerned about the impact of climate change on air travel:
- Check the weather forecast before you book your flight.
-Be prepared for delays and cancellations.
-Consider alternative modes of transportation, such as train or bus.
-Contact your airline if you have any concerns.
Listen to the whole conversation below:
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