Turbulent times: How climate changes could affect future summer air travel – National

Canadians plan ahead to book their summer travels this year. The scorching heat and potential dangers of summer are all part of the picture. Heat wavesThis could affect travel plans.

2021 saw the country experience record-breaking heat. And it was raging WildfiresA number of flights were cancelled in British Columbia, Canada and other parts of the west.

Heat-related travel disruptions don’t seem new. Climate ChangeExperts say the travel industry is headed for turbulent times as it is blamed for more intense heat wave.

“Airports, airline, and also passengers have to just understand that we need to plan for these sorts of events because they’re becoming more common and they can impact timely travel,” said Kent Moore, professor of physics at the University of Toronto, Mississauga.

According to the Latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. released on Monday, without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C (34.7F) is “beyond reach.”

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The effects of rising temperatures will also affect the airline industry as the planet warms. Moore explained that planes will find it more difficult to take off and land due to intense heat. This is because warm air gives the aircraft less lift.

Last year saw a record heat wave in the Southwest United States forced some flights at Las Vegas’ airportCancelled In 2017 however, we are back.Phoenix’s temperatures were nearing 120 degrees, leading to many flight cancellations.

“When it’s hot, planes can’t carry as much fuel or as much people just because they’re heavier and they don’t have as much lift,” he told Global News.

Moore explained that planes must either reduce the fuel they can carry, which will affect how far they are able to travel, or limit the number of passengers.

Global News was informed by airlines that they have many provisions and mechanisms in place for heat waves and other extreme weather conditions.

Aircraft manufacturers are already working hard to make planes lighter and more fuel efficient, which is important during heat waves.

Boeing claimed that it had created the “The Boeing Experience” in 2015. “lightest metal ever” – made up of 99.99 per cent air.

“Strength and record-breaking lightness make it a potential metal for future airplanes and vehicles,” the U.S. aerospace company says.

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Hot conditions can also reduce efficiency, resulting in staff suffering heat strokes or stress. Airports also have lots of asphalt which can really heat up, and that can be a “big problem,” said Moore.

Visibility can be difficult in wildfires, particularly for smaller private planes. Because of the smoke, it is difficult to see the runway.

Pyrocumulonimbus clouds are a special type of thunderstorm that can be dangerous to aircraft. They are also triggered when wildfires start. Then planes must divert to avoid them. Moore explained that the intense heat from wildfires can cause warm air to rise, which can trigger the formation a cloud that releases heat.

“The release of heat warms the air even more and this can trigger the thunderstorm,” he said.

Canadian airports and airlines say they are ready for another heat wave this summer.

In a statement to Global News, Air Canada said it has a “robust contingency planning process and mechanisms in place that allow us to respond quickly and effectively to any situation, with the safety of customers and employees always the foremost consideration.”

Canada’s second-largest carrier WestJet said it experienced several cancellations last summer due to the B.C. wildfires affecting operations in local areas.

“While rare, we do have several provisions in place to support our operations in instances of extreme weather, including heat waves to ensure the safety of our guests and employees,” said Denise Kenny, a spokesperson at the Calgary-based airline, in a statement to Global News.

In Kelowna, where wildfires caused mass evacuations of residents in August, airport operations at YLW were disrupted throughout August due to restrictions on airspace near active fires and visibility issues from smoke.

2:42Investigations continue into other Okanagan wildfires that were reported in 2021

Phillip Elchitz, senior manager, airport operations, at the Kelowna International Airport, stated that there were no immediate impacts on airport operations by the heat wave.

“In preparation for the 2022 season, YLW continues to work with BC Wildfire Service, NavCanada and Transport Canada to mitigate potential issues and incorporate learning from previous years,” he told Global News in an email.

“There is always the potential of weather-related disruptions to air service.”

Vancouver International Airport staff are safe according to a spokesperson from YVR. They limit the time they are exposed to extreme heat, and have access to electrolyte drinks throughout their shifts.

“As extreme weather in our region becomes a more frequent occurrence, we continue to look at the potential effects of climate change on our operations in an integrated manner,” the spokesperson told Global News.

2:14After a two-year absence, Kelowna International Airport is back in business as air travel demand grows.

The Calgary Airport Authority (YYC), is looking into ways to deal with extreme weather events.

“We conducted a climate change risk assessment that identified both wildfires and heat waves, as well as other climate change factors, as impactful to our operations,” said Carmelle Hunka, vice-president of People, Risk, and General Counsel at The Calgary Airport Authority.

Moore said that heat waves are easy to predict, which helps with short-term planning. He suggested scheduling more people or reducing operations to help.

“I think the bigger problem, of course, is that as we continue to warm the planet, heat waves are going to become more common,” he said. This will require better planning.

“If airline operators and airports aren’t planning, they should begin to plan,” said Moore.