Extreme heat paralyzes airports worldwide: Where is it worst in Europe and the USA?

Airports are increasingly becoming "urban heat islands," intensifying the impact of extreme heat. The vast surfaces of asphalt and concrete, combined with a lack of shade, aircraft activity, ground equipment, and air conditioning systems, make airports some of the hottest places in cities. This phenomenon, amplified by climate change, poses significant challenges to air travel.

A study by the University of Reading, published in "Aerospace," analyzed climate change impacts on 30 European air hubs. Researchers predict that by 2065, during peak summer months, aircraft like the popular Airbus A320 may need to reduce passenger and baggage capacity by up to 10 people. Conditions that once occurred a few times a summer will become daily occurrences, particularly affecting flights to southern Europe, including Spain, Greece, and Italy. Airlines will likely pass these costs onto passengers, leading to a significant jump in airfare prices.

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Airports become 'urban heat islands.'

Four European airports are identified as highly vulnerable: Chios (JKH) in Greece, Pantelleria (PNL) in Italy, Rome-Ciampino (CIA) in Italy, and San Sebastián (EAS) in Spain. These airports face limitations due to short runways, island locations with restricted infrastructure, or surrounding development that hinders expansion. Even larger airports with longer runways experience substantial losses in maximum takeoff weight due to extreme temperatures and increased operational load.

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To fly in hot weather, by 2065, during peak summer months, planes will have to reduce the number of passengers by 10 people along with their luggage.

Major transit hubs like Milan-Malpensa (MXP) in Italy and Madrid-Barajas (MAD) in Spain are also at high risk. Madrid's location at over 600 meters above sea level further exacerbates the issue of thinner air. While some larger airports like Paris (ORY), Rome (FCO), and Athens (ATH) show greater short-term resilience, the overall trend indicates growing challenges for air travel in a warming world.

The situation is even more critical at U.S. airports, where the problem, once confined to desert regions, is spreading due to climate change. The physics of air density play a crucial role: warmer air is less dense, reducing the lift generated by wings and the thrust produced by jet engines. As former United Airlines captain Ross Eimer noted, aviation cannot ignore these fundamental physical laws.

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Aviation cannot ignore the laws of physics.