{
  "id": 19079783,
  "title": "Too hot to fly full? – Summer heat could force airlines to reduce aircraft loads",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/too-hot-to-fly-full-summer-heat-could-force-airlines-to-reduce",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/summer-heat-airlines-reduce-aircraft-loads/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Extreme summer heat could force airlines to reduce aircraft loads, including passengers, cargo, and baggage, at high-altitude airports like Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, according to South African Airways (SAA), Airlink, and LIFT. The El Nino weather system has brought scorching temperatures that threaten aircraft performance. SAA's aircraft performance modelling indicates that an Airbus A330's maximum permitted takeoff weight could decrease by up to 20 tons in temperatures ranging from 25°C to 40°C. This could force airlines to limit passenger and cargo numbers to ensure safe takeoffs.\n\nManaging the extreme heat involves considering aircraft performance, fuel requirements, departure times, and ground operations before restricting passenger numbers. For example, an Airbus A320 could depart at around 77 tons at 25°C, but its permitted takeoff weight could drop to 73.5 tons at 40°C. An Airbus A340's permitted takeoff weight could fall from 261 tons to a dramatic 227 tons under extreme heat conditions, a reduction of 34 tons.\n\nLIFT's chief pilot, Warren Penney, explained that extreme heat reduces air density, affecting engine thrust and the aircraft's ability to generate lift. This can increase takeoff distances and reduce climb performance. OR Tambo's elevation of approximately 5,558 feet exacerbates the issue. Penney noted that temperatures above 30°C require particular attention, though no specific temperature automatically triggers weight restrictions.\n\nAirlines typically remove cargo first, followed by adjustments to fuel loads where regulations permit, and finally, passengers if necessary. Critical cargo, such as lifesaving medication and human organs destined for transplants, would not be removed. In some cases, airlines might also delay departures to cooler mornings or evenings, but this could disrupt connecting passengers and subsequent flights operated by the same aircraft and crew.",
  "summary": "Johannesburg's altitude can reduce aircraft takeoff performance, say experts.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}