Stories

Sat, 05 Sep 2026

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 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?
1. Increased turbulence: Clear-air turbulence is becoming more common due to climate change, which can cause violent movements in the air at high altitudes without visible clouds or other cues. 2. Flooding: Many airports have been built on low-lying areas near sea level and are vulnerable to flooding due to rising sea levels. LaGuardia airport in New York was affected by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and similar incidents could become more frequent. 3. Rising sea levels: By the middle of the century, significant flooding that would have occurred every 500 years in pre-industrial times could occur every 25 years or even every five years, affecting airports around the world. 4. Airports at risk: Newcastle University research found that 269 airports worldwide are already at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels, and this number is expected to rise. 5. Costs: Investing in flood defences, raising runways, or even moving airports could cost up to $57bn (£42bn) over the next century. 6. Impact on aviation industry: The article notes that the aviation industry faces a significant challenge in attempting to meet carbon neutrality targets while accommodating growth and doubling its fleet size by 2050. The article concludes with a warning from Andrew Charlton, an expert in the field, that "disagreeable moments are going to happen more" as climate change affects airports and passengers.