This intense heat, which is causing fatalities from heat wave strokes, could also lead to flight delays and force airlines to implement luggage weight restrictions
North India, especially Delhi, is reeling under a severe heat wave. This intense heat, which is causing fatalities from heat wave strokes, could also lead to flight delays and force airlines to implement luggage weight restrictions. Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi is facing flight delays because of high surface temperatures that are affecting operations. This was announced by an official from the Civil Aviation Ministry in a press release on June 19.
Passengers on SpiceJet flight SG 486 from Delhi to Darbhanga had a tough time on June 19. They had to wait inside the plane for over an hour and the air conditioning was not working. The temperature inside the plane reached almost 45°C. In hot weather, an aeroplane’s air conditioning system struggles to keep up, increasing the likelihood of heat stroke for passengers.
According to an expert quoted by Newsweek, high temperatures have two main negative impacts on aeroplanes, leading to some additional unwanted effects. In extremely hot weather, planes have a tougher time taking off. To make it easier, airlines may need to reduce the weight by removing some luggage or even asking passengers to take a different flight. The air conditioning system requires that the jet engines run at full power. If there is a delay on the tarmac, these systems can fail, leading to a rise in cabin temperature.
Airlines around the world are already dealing with issues caused by extreme heat. For instance, passengers on a Qatar Airlines flight in Greece last week suffered from nosebleeds and fainting when the air conditioning system failed in 39°C heat, which made the tarmac surface too hot for the plane to take off. In 2017, over 40 flights were cancelled in Phoenix, Arizona, because temperatures hit 48 degree centigrade.
The expert explained that a plane’s lift during takeoff depends on the density and pressure of the air. Hot air is thinner, meaning it has less density and pressure, which makes it much harder for the plane to lift off. He also mentioned that jets produce less forward thrust in hotter air. Without that initial power, they need a longer runway to gain enough speed to lift off the ground. Even in the best of cases, where a plane can take off, it may still need to reduce weight to manage the pressure. This means some passengers and heavy bags may be removed from the flight.
According to aviation experts who spoke with Newsweek, aeroplanes mainly use the leftover air from their running engines to power their air conditioning systems. When a plane is parked on the tarmac, it depends on its backup air conditioning system. This system may not be powerful enough to keep everyone cool, especially with the extra heat coming from the tarmac.
US federal rules state that airlines must keep the cabin at a comfortable temperature. An aviation expert advises passengers stuck on a hot plane to stay hydrated and be calm.
(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmai.com)
(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own and do not reflect those of DNA)
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