Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
As temperatures soared during a hot summer in late June, dark clouds gathered over southern England and northern Europe, prompting thousands of travelers to flock to London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The busy day turned chaotic as air traffic controllers worked to reroute aircraft around the storms, leading to a heavy traffic jam and numerous delays and cancellations. Some 900 flights were affected, with many passengers facing lengthy waits.
Industry experts warn that such disruptions may become more frequent as climate change intensifies and weather systems become more unstable. Tim Atkinson, an airline risk consultant, warns that the crowded skies over the UK and northern Europe make the region particularly vulnerable to simultaneous storms. He fears that all of London's airports could be affected, potentially causing major disruptions to flights and lives.
However, not everyone shares this concern. Andrew Charlton, a former airline executive, believes the risk is low and that the industry can adapt to such challenges.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
